It was a sunny day in Pop Village, the birds chirping and trolls singing.
Poppy sat up in bed, stretching.
*HICK!*
Poppy put a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide. Why did she have to get hiccups today? This afternoon she was supposed to give a speech to all of Troll Kingdom! How would she give the speech with hiccups?!
Poppy got out of bed, getting dressed and putting on her crown. Every now and then she'd make a little *hick* sound.
After getting ready she leaped out of her pod, heading off to Branch's bunker. If any troll has a cure for hiccups, it'd be him.
Once arriving at Branch's bunker, Poppy hid behind a bush, not wanting to startle Branch from his work. It looked like he was making a new device of some sort.
Poppy blushed as she noticed the look of quiet focus on his features. She loved to watch him work and do what he loved. But she'd never tell him that.
*HICK!*
Poppy ducked further into the bushes, hoping Branch didn't hear her. Unfortunately for her, Branch had a trained ear.
Branch walked over, parting the bushes that shielded Poppy.
"Really Poppy? Again?" He said.
Poppy smiled sheepishly, standing up.
"Sorry, Branch. I didn't want to bother you while you were working."
Branch smirked.
"Guess your plan didn't work out so well," he teased.
Poppy chuckled. "Guess not."
*HICK!*
Branch frowned as she hiccuped once again.
"You know, it's going to be hard giving a speech with those hiccups," he said.
"I know," Poppy said, nodding. "That's why I came here. I figured you would have a cure or something."
Branch folded his arms, his face becoming serious.
"I have a few things that could work," he said.
Branch led her over to his bunker door. He pulled the lever, causing them to go downwards.
As they descended into the bunker, Branch started listing different methods for getting rid of the hiccups, while Poppy continued to hiccup.
Once they reached the floor, they walked over to a shelf of assorted jars. Branch grabbed one off the shelf, handing it to Poppy.
"Try this and see if it works."
Poppy eyed the contents in the jar before gulping it down. After drinking the whole jar's worth she wiped her mouth, smiling at Branch.
"I feel bett-*HICK!*"
Poppy flopped backwards, landing on her rear end. Branch ran over, helping her up.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
Poppy nodded, groaning.
"I really thought that would work," Branch sighed.
"It's okay, Branch," Poppy replied, her shoulders drooping. "I guess I'll just have to cancel the speech."
Branch gasped.
"You can't cancel the speech! Come on, there's one more thing I want to try."
Poppy followed Branch into another room, which was filled to the brim with packaged food. At least, it looked like food.
Branch walked over to a basket of yellow fruit and handed one to her.
"Hopefully this will work," he said.
Poppy plopped the fruit into her mouth, swishing it around her mouth. It had a bit of a tangy taste, and a tartness that made Poppy love it and hate it all at once. Finally she swallowed.
Poppy and Branch stood for a beat, listening for any hiccups. They smiled when none came.
"What can I say, I'm a-"
*HICK!*
They huffed, Poppy flinging her arms in the air.
"I don't know what I'm gonna do, Branch! We've tried everything!"
A lightbulb seemed to light up in Branch's head. He smirked.
"Not everything."
Branch grabbed each side of Poppy's face, planting his lips onto hers. Poppy smiled into the kiss, amused by his idea.
A moment later he released her, wearing a confident grin.
They waited a few minutes this time, making sure the hiccups were actually gone. Poppy chuckled as she realized the kiss worked.
"Who would've thought a kiss could cure hiccups," Poppy laughed.
"Well apparently I did," Branch said pridefully.
The couple walked out of the room, heading outside.
Branch walked Poppy the rest of the way home, making sure she was safe. It was unlikely anything would hurt her, but he always felt better accompanying her.
As they arrived at Poppy's pod Branch took both of her hands in his, giving her a soft smile.
"Good luck with your speech, Poppy," he said.
Poppy grinned. "Thanks, Branch. For everything."
"Your welcome," he said.
Branch released her hands and turned to leave.
Before he could make it more than two steps, he heard a *HICK!* from behind him.
He turned around, smirking.
Poppy blushed, looking sorry.
"I guess all the laughing gave me more hiccups," she said.
Branch came over, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Good thing there's a cure," he said, grinning.
Poppy rolled her eyes, turning redder.
"Good thing."
