So, I don't know why I'm writing this oneshot but I hope you'll like it :) (Branch is gray)

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THANATOPHOBIA

Do you know what thanatophobia is? For you, it's probably only a complicated name that we attribute to some fear ... Well, do not look for the definition right away and read this story. You will understand that it is much more than that:

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Poppy was running in the forest towards Branch's bunker.

The pink troll had met him that morning and the gray troll looked particularly depressed. The princess then decided to organize a small surprise party, adapted for him. Soft music, weak lights, no fireworks ... no risk of danger, all its for this troll, Branch. The village loved the idea and the trolls were all waiting for the main guest now that everything was ready. As Poppy was the only one to know the location of the bunker, she was going to pick him up.

-BRAN ... uh ... Branch? Branch, are you there? she asked

No answer, Poppy knocked on the rock that served as a door to shelter.

-Braaanch? Branch, are you at home?

She then noticed something strange, the entrance was unlocking.

It's not normal, started to worry Poppy. Branch would never leave the door open ...

The pink troll came in, on the 21 locks, none was closed. Poppy's heart began to panic.

-BRANCH? she shouted in a trembling voice.

It's the echo that answered the princess. She searched all the rooms but it seemed that Branch had disappeared. Fear seized her body, where was Branch? If anything happened to him? Maybe he was hurting? lost in the forest? After searching the bunker, it seemed obvious that the survivor was no longer there.

The tears began to flow on her cheeks as she ran towards the village, she had to find it at any time! She stumbled on a root but got up at once, she could not stand anything that happened to the gray troll.

The trolls seemed surprised to see her come back with tears in her eyes.

-Poppy, are you all right? Suki asked as she took a microphone.

-Everyone, listen to me, Branch to disappeared! announced the pink troll with a trembling voice.

Everyone's eyes widened in surprise. Contrary to what the gray troll thought, they cared about him. Murmurs panicked began to roam the crowd. Poppy asked for silence and continued:

-We must find him! I order everyone to go looking for him!

*  *  *

It was pass 4 hours as the village was looking for Branch. Some had left to rest because they were exhausted, others were fighting fatigue and were looking for the missing.

A light rain had begun to fall on the forest. The night was cold and gray clouds filled the sky. Poppy was shaking with fear, if he had ever been kidnapped? If it was drowning in the river? The princess shivered thinking of all that could have happened to her, her pink skin had lost its luster without her noticing.

-BRANCH? BRANCH WHERE ARE YOU, ANSWER ME!

She looked in all directions, ears alert. All she heard was the other trolls calling the name of the gray troll. Her hands were shaking as ever, she had to think, if she was Branch, or would she have left?

In my bunker, she thought immediately, but it was impossible, he was not there.

Then she remembered that Branch had told her about an unknown place in the village. He had to point out that this forest was filled with medical plants, but also of others much more dangerous that could kill a troll in seconds. Luckily, she knew where this part of the forest was, it was located at the top of the Hisshi cliff.

Poppy was already starting to imagine the worst scenarios. She ran at full speed to the Hisshi Forest. Her legs sprained her so badly she was exhausted but she could not abandon him.

She could not.

-BRANCH? she cried again.

She went to the cliff, Branch was not there. Poppy sighed in relief, realizing he had not done the worst. She resumed her search, the fear had not left her. As she continued to call his name, she heard a long cry in the darkness.

Someone crying.

She ran toward the noise. The tears of joy began to replace that of fear as she saw him leaning against a tree. He held his head in his hands and sobbed silently. His messy black hair and gray skin seemed even darker than usual.

- B-Branch?

The gray troll jumped and looked up at her. His blue eyes were flooded with tears. He stared at her for a moment before wiping tears from his face with the back of his hand. he stood up on his staggering legs, holding back a sob, and looked away. his skin was as gray as the clouds above them.

-What are you doing here? she asked as she approached him, Are you crying? Everyone is looking for you!

- I'm not crying, interrupted the gray troll.

Still, he seemed about to burst into tears every second that passed, Branch turned, his shoulders were shaking uncontrollably. He stared at the tree in front of him.

- Leave me alone, Branch murmured in a hoarse voice.

He was afraid of himself now, he was afraid that all the pain in him would escape at once. He wanted to scream, he needed to hit something and did not want to hurt it by accident. He wanted to get rid of the lump in his throat that kept him from breathing and hurt him when he swallowed his saliva, trying to restrain himself so as not to cry in front of the princess.

-Branch ...

-I TOLD YOU GO AWAY! Shouted the gray troll, turning to face her.

Poppy drew back slightly to Branch's cry of rage. They looked at each other for a moment, a heavy silence reigned. Branch looked down first and stared at the floor.

-P-Poppy ... I ...

Poppy said nothing and opened her arms wide, she did not move. Without Branch being able to control him, he approached the princess in silence. Each step brought him closer to the comfort he had needed so much for all these years. When he felt the arms of the pink troll pull him into a soft embrace, something wet ran down his cheek. He sobbed again, letting the weight fall on his shoulders, of which he was a prisoner. Poppy was still saying nothing and running her hand through his black hair like raven feathers to put his lock hair back in order.

-What's wrong? Poppy asked

-I miss her ... whispered in her ear, I just want to see her one last time to tell him how sorry I'm ... oh, I'm so sorry ...

Poppy tightened her embrace as Branch wrapped his arms around her waist, uttering a long moan.

-Don't disappear like this anymore ...

-What can do? everyone does care not about me anyway ...

-Everyone is looking for you right now!

Branch raised her head and looked at her intrigued:

-W-What? it's a joke?

-No, it's the truth

She will be in her arms again. Branch let a small smile appear on his face as the first snow, replacing the light rain, began to fall from the sky.

*  *  *

Still do not understand what Thanatophobia is?

Thanatophobia is the fear of losing someone you love.

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I'm convinced that Branch to a thanatophobia :)

(Hisshi means desperate in Japanese)