Broppy: Baby On Board

Chapter 13: Engaged

Branch was awake in his bed as he listened to the raging storm above the bunker. He tried to close his eyes and sleep but it was impossible. Images littered his mind of that nightmare he went through with a certain troll who he desperately wanted to forget but couldn't. His voice, his touch, the way he smiled as he walked away with Shelly and Tiny, all of it was so clear in his mind.

Branch squeezed his eyes shut as he bit the bottom of his lip before flinching at an especially loud crackle of thunder. He then couldn't help but to cover his ears as he shook in a bit of fear. That night, he really thought he was going to get struck by lightning and die with the baby. He never pleaded so much or so hard in his life to make it through the storm.

At that moment, he felt a hand on his cheek so he opened his eyes to come face to face with Poppy who was slightly hovering over him with a worried expression.

Branch relaxed a little but flinched once more when thunder sounded.

"Branch..." Poppy softly spoke and pulled him up into a hug. "You can't keep pretending that what happened to you, didn't happen." She only got little bits and pieces from Tiny. "I've been waiting for you to tell me yourself because I trust you enough to trust me."

Branch sighed as he wrapped his arms around her. "Y-you're right, I just thought... I don't know..." He felt disgusted with himself for making her worry this much.

Poppy just shook her head as she let go and touched his cheeks before sliding her hands down his arms and holding his hands between them. "I love and care about you so much so don't be afraid to tell me. I want to know what happened to you but I also don't want you to feel pressured. I'll wait an eternity for you."

Branch blushed a little before he pulled her back into a tight embrace. "I really am the luckiest troll." He said as he let go while lovingly looking at her. He reached up and pushed a little hair out of her face as she gave him that slightly goofy smile. He couldn't help but to giggle as they shared a kiss. Once they parted he figured it was finally time. He shouldn't have held it in for as long as he had. He wanted to tell her and he was ready.

"I went to go see Bruce to get some advice when he told me I should be with you and he was right. I shouldn't have run away like that so I quickly left to come back. However, that's when..." Branch paused for a moment to take a deep breath and muster up the nerve to even speak the troll's name.

Poppy squeezed his hands tighter and looked at him with a serious expression as if saying 'You can do this.'

Branch tightened his grip as well, thankful that she was right by his side and giving him the courage to speak.

"That's when... Creek-" Just saying his name gave Branch chills. "...snuck up behind me and knocked me out." Branch continued to explain.

Poppy never once looked away as she listened intently to him about the whole ordeal. She even started tearing up and crying over what he was telling her. She only wished she could have found him sooner or sensed that something was amiss that day but ultimately, it wasn't anyone's fault but Creek's.

"I wish I would have punched him harder or, or...Agh!" Poppy declared as she held up a fist in anger before Branch placed a hand over it while sadly smiling.

"Saving Shelly and Tiny were more important. Besides, I don't think I want to see you punch anyone. Although... I could see you torturing them with hugs." Branch chuckled at his own joke when Poppy embraced him.

"The only one I want to torture with hugs is you." She smiled and squeezed him tightly as they both lightly laughed. She let him go after they calmed down. It also looked like he had more to say.