Feeling the Love Tonight

My Heart Will Go On

Summary: After Barb captures Poppy and realizes that she doesn't have the Pop String anymore, Poppy sings out to Branch, hoping that he and the String are safe, and that he will rescue her so that they can save the world.

Post-TWT.

Poppy stood frozen with fear as Queen Barb approached her cell, a frustrated scowl on her face. But the bubbly Pop Queen kept on a stoic face, keeping her nervousness to herself. The Rock Queen grasped one of the bars tightly.

"I'm going to ask you this one more time, Popsqueak." Barb growled. "Where is the POP STRING?!"

Poppy resisted the temptation to flinch at her yelling. "You already had your subjects do a full search on me, and my answer is still the same. I don't have it, and it's safe and far away from you."

Barb snarled and then banged her fist on the bars of the cell, creating a loud ringing sound that vibrated in Poppy's ears. The Rock Queen turned away for a few seconds, trying to think. She had to admit, she did admire the Pop Queen's stubbornness, but it was starting to get infuriating really fast.

Just then, she remembered something that Dickory had told her before, how Poppy ran away from him and his traitorous brother Hickory before the Rock Trolls arrived. Or rather, who she was running to.

If she was going to trust the safety of the Pop String with anyone, it would be him. Hickory had claimed that those two aren't exactly what Dickory described them as, but still, it made sense. Plus, she knew that Pop Trolls were very mushy when it came to love.

"Oh, I don't need to go out and look for it." Barb answered, turning back to a confused Poppy. "It will be coming to me."

Poppy's eyes widened in horror, making Barb smirk victoriously at her little reaction before she walked away. Poppy quickly grabbed the bars of her cell, but didn't say anything to the retreating Rock Queen. A heaviness was building up in her chest when she discovered what Barb meant by that. Branch and the others will be coming to them.

Oh, Branch. She thought to herself as she moved away from the bars towards the far side of the cell. Please think carefully about how to save everyone. It's up to you now.

The pink Pop Troll slowly sat down onto the floor, pulling her knees up to her chest. The familiar urge to sing something started to swell up inside her. Even though she knew she would get in trouble for singing something that wasn't Rock, she still wanted to feel that feeling again. That soul connection that forms everytime she and Branch would sing together. It always gave her reassurance that everything is going to turn out fine no matter how dark things appeared.

It happened the first time they sang together, and whenever they would sing something meaningful like that, she would feel those familiar sparks and jolts of warmth through the tips of her hair down to her toes. She just hoped that she could somehow hear him, and he could somehow hear her as well.

Poppy: Every night in my dreams,
I see you, I feel you.
That is how I know you go on.

Far across the distance
And spaces between us,
You have come to show you go on.

Then somehow, in the depths of her heart, she heard Branch's glorious voice sing along with her song of longing. Just hearing him, whether in real life or in her mind, immediately started to lift the heaviness in her heart that was making her sink.

Poppy and Branch: Near, far,
Wherever you are,

Poppy: I believe that the heart does go on.

Both: Once more,
You open the door,

Poppy: And you're here in my heart
And-

Both: My heart will go on and on.

A little comforted smile appeared on Poppy's face as she let the passionate song of longing for her true love quietly ring out. She knew that he heard her. She just knew it. And he was coming to save her, just like the hero he always had been.

*****************************

Miles away, still in the backlands of Lonesome Flats, Branch was left alone with his thoughts while the K-Pop and Reggaeton Trolls were going through ideas on how to break into Rock Volcano and free everyone, while also getting the Strings back.

Well, he wasn't completely alone, since they weren't sure if there were still some Rock Trolls looking for them. So Wani and Tresillo each had one of their group members keep an eye on Branch from afar, just in case. His ears would sometimes pivot over in one direction, hearing the K-Pop Troll giggle under her breath, while her Reggaeton companion would lightly slap her to keep her focused and not ogle over him.

Branch looked down at the glittering pink Pop String in his hands, taking a deep, slow breath. He knew that what Poppy did was pretty smart, but she still threw herself into danger. She knew that her travelling with them was going to be dangerous, since she still had other bounty hunters looking for her and the Pop String. And since Barb was capturing both the tribe leaders and their Strings, she decided to separate the key from the lock.

He then heard Poppy's sweet and beautiful voice call out in song, right to his very soul. He wasn't even sure how it was even possible, but the romantic in him wanted to believe that it was because they had a bond that was more powerful than just friendship. And for once, he wanted to actually believe it.

Recalling how happy she was to see him just a few hours earlier, and her shy but wanting actions, he dared to hope that she actually felt the same about him. Hearing her voice made the weight lift off his shoulders a bit, knowing that she was okay.

Branch: Love can touch us one time
And last for a lifetime,
And never let go 'till we're gone.

Then, both wondrous voices rang out as clear as day, as if Branch and Poppy wanted to hear each other for real and not just inside of their heads. They didn't care if they were starting to get a little loud to where others could hear them, they only wanted to hear their love's voice singing out with them, giving them the strength and courage to keep up the good fight.

Both: Love was when I loved you,
One true time, I hold to.
In my life, we'll always go on.

Near, far,
Wherever you are,
I believe that the heart does go on.

Once more,
You open the door.
And you're here in my heart,
And my heart will go on and on.

As they continued to sing, their hearts started to glow pink, making the Pop String glow even brighter in Branch's hands. Then, little glittery hearts appeared in the air, gently encircling the teal Pop Troll out in the wilderness and the captive pink Pop Queen in her Rock cell.

You're here,
There's nothing I fear,
And I know that my heart will go on!

We'll stay
Forever this way!
You are safe in my heart,
And my heart will go on and on.

As the song came to its end, the glow from their hearts faded, and the Pop String in Branch's hands went back to its normal glow, the hearts vanishing into little bits of pink glitter. Branch smiled softly, feeling much better than he did a few minutes ago. Poppy was okay, and she was waiting for him.

He carefully and quickly put the Pop String back into his hair and headed back to where the K-Pop and Reggaeton Trolls were. It was a good thing that he came back in time, because Wani and Tresillo were arguing again. He rolled his eyes with a slightly amused smile before he took control of planning the break-out.

Hold on, Poppy. He thought to himself, hoping that his lady love heard him. I'm coming.

A/N: I wanted to upload this yesterday because of Broppy Day, but I was drowning in homework and chores and didn't finish this until late last night! What kind of shipper am I?! 😭 Anyway, putting that aside, I know I haven't been writing much of anything lately, but I'm trying to get some things done before I get back to writing. So all I ask is that you guys be patient with me.

The song that I used is, of course, "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion. But I found a beautiful duet version sung by this talented couple, Caleb and Kelsey, so I used that cover instead. But I don't own either version in any way or form. All credit goes to their rightful owners.

Thanks, and I hope y'all enjoyed this short little one-shot. Please leave a comment about what you think, and remember to stay healthy!

Got to fly! ;)