⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀< ❈Poppy's POV❈ >

Poppy was sitting under a mushroom near her house. Since the week that had passed, Creek disappeared. But she knew he wasn't done with his revenge. She had recovered from the brutal rape most the way and was feeling a lot less cautious. She would jump at every little sound and get pretty anxious when seeing another male. The only male she'd trusted through the week was Branch. But he'd made her feel safe again, promising he'd protect her from anything. She knew the handsome blue Troll was strong enough to take on the most dangerous creatures in all the land. So she trusted him.

Her friends had been circling her like a hawk, watching to make sure she was okay. Satin and Chenille were being way too overprotective and only letting certain Trolls visit Poppy. Suki had sat next to her several times and comforted her if she cried. Though Suki was her best friend, Poppy always wished the arms wrapped around her belonged to Branch.

Cooper had been on guard, surrounding the places she was either sitting or walking and watching everyone with a threatening gaze. But the tall giraffe-Troll was too adorable to appear as a threat. A few other Trolls just snickered at him as they passed.

Biggie had, like Suki, sat next to her and let her lean against his chubby dark blue body while she confessed a few thoughts. But she never told him too much. Biggie would let her hold Mr. Dinkles which was surprising since he was so protective over his little worm-pet. But pets could relieve the pain of stress so she had welcomed the offer with relief. Mr. Dinkles had helped her calm down. His little warm colorful body and the cute little faces he made warmed her heart.

Guy Diamond, on the other hand, had sung to her. No, not in a romantic way. But with his beautiful, auto-tuned singing voice he had been able to bring out some positive songs. Her most favorite ones, anyway. It had cheered her up and she found herself mumbling the lyrics along with him several times. Poppy wanted to get back into her normal singing routines, but it was hard with all the stress.

Fuzzbert and Smidge had entertained her with funny little tricks with their strength. Fuzzbert was pretty strong since he was all hair (but had feet, of course) but his strength was nowhere close to Smidge's. They'd danced a little for her, and she found great joy in the show. Her friends were truly amazing Trolls. She'd be lost without them.

Now, Cooper was surrounding her sitting place underneath a large red and white-spotted mushroom. His long blue legs were spread out as he crouched lower to the ground, his pink-furred body being tinged with orange as he flashed in and out of the beating afternoon sun.

Satin and Chenille were nearby making strange shapes with their adjoined hair. Guy Diamond was talking to Suki, Smidge and Fuzzbert were play-fighting, and Biggie was currently feeding Mr. Dinkles.

Poppy wondered where Branch was. He said he would be busy today gathering things, but had not specified what those "things" were. She guessed sticks like he used to collect in their old home for traps and weapons. Days ago she would've questioned him heavily. But with Creek and Chef posing as threats again, it was certainly necessary.

Poppy was slightly hurt that he had not invited her along with him. She wanted to watch him picking out each stick, each plant, whatever the hell he gathered out there. But perhaps there was something he did he didn't want her to see. She chuckled a little at the thought. Branch getting embarrassed was one of her favorite things. He was so cute!

"Poppy?" came a familiar voice.

The pink Queen turned her head and was surprised to see Suki standing in front of her. She scoot over a little and patted the ground beside her. "Yes, Suki?" she asked as her friend walked over and seated herself next to her.

The red Troll was nervously fiddling her fingers. "You know what it's like to have a c-crush, r-right?" she stammered. She lifted a hand a brushed a strand of her curly orange hair out of her eyes.

Poppy frowned. "Of course," she replied, instantly making the frown fade away to be replaced by a warm smile. "I think everyone knows about this, so I'm not gonna lie. Me and Branch have been getting close."

Suki laughed quietly. "That's true," she agreed with a long sigh. "Satin and Chenille are already planning a wedding." She rolled her eyes slightly.

Poppy glanced over at the twin sisters who had now made a giant flower with their hair. She then looked at Suki again. "We haven't talked about marriage at all..." Poppy said, twining her fingers. "Anyways, did you need something, Suki? You were looking a little anxious."

Suki glanced down at her crisscrossed legs. Her eyes flickered over to somewhere in the clearing, but before Poppy could see where, the DJ turned back to her. "I need advise on opening up to a crush," she confessed, gritting her teeth nervously.

Poppy blinked in surprise. "Suki! You have a crush?" Happiness flooded her. This was exciting! They could share the happiness of a marriage together, let their kids play, all that joy! Poppy wanted to scream out her excitement but Suki's fragile red hand slammed over her lips.

"Shh! Are you out of your mind, Poppy?? The others will hear you if you're not careful! I don't want him to stare at me...not like this!" Suki buried her face in her hands and let out soft whimpers.

Poppy gasped and moved against her, brushing her back with her hand. "Hey, Suki, I'm sorry," she muttered. "Don't cry. I'll help you, I promise. I just got a little excited, that's all..."

Suki lifted her head, wiping her damp cheeks. "It's okay," she replied, sighing once again. "This crush is just driving me nuts. I can't eat, I can't sleep. I can hardly write music correctly." She rubbed the back of her neck. "There's just this ache in my chest...a longing ache. An ache of wanting."

Poppy smiled. "I know that feeling," she replied. "I've felt it many times while thinking about Branch. It hurts, but it eases when everything works out." She cupped Suki's chin in the palm of her hand. "I know you'll win over this crush." The Queen rose to her feet and gazed down at the talented musician that she had labeled as her best friend. "Now, Suki, you know I know every single Troll in Troll Tree. There's not a single soul here who I cannot name a few facts about. So tell me...who is this guy?"

Suki's face grew redder than it already was. She looked away for a second before glancing out across the village once again like she'd done earlier. "G-G-Guy D-Diamond," she stumbled over her words, hiding her flustered face in her hands afterwards.

Poppy smiled. "Aww! I've always thought you two would have some feelings eventually towards each other," she chuckled.

Suki glanced at her. "But I don't know if Guy Diamond likes me back. Oh, Poppy, please help!"

Poppy patted her back. "Keep calm," she said smoothly. "Just try talking to him about this. Maybe, somehow, get on the subject of crushes with him and if he shows and affection towards you, then I'd say he does. Guy Diamond is a sweet Troll, and there's no way he'd harshly reject you if he didn't like you back. You have no reason to worry."

Suki blinked gratefully. "Thank you," she said in a voice thick with emotion.

"Don't mention it," Poppy replied with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Now go on! Talk to him! The sooner you get it over with, the sooner you will know!"

Suki nodded and ran off, her feet carrying her in the direction of Guy Diamond. She watched as the red Troll's lips moved. But she could not hear the words being said to the glittery male.

Poppy, feeling satisfied, turned and walked off. Helping Suki had made her feel better. She was reverting back to her normal self, despite that annoying thundercloud hanging over her head, reminding her of the possible threats. She knew Creek was for sure one. He could be with Chef right now, planning another attack. She shuddered at the thought.

Suddenly, out of her peripheral vision, she caught sight of a bright blue form. Branch was returning with several plants and sticks clasped in his strong arms. She raced over to him. "Branch!" she called.

The blue Troll's azure eyes lit up happily at the sight of her. "Just a second, Poppy!" he responded as he disappeared inside his house. He came out moments later with his hair neatly brushed up over his head and his clothes looking cleaner. He gestured to her with a few waves of his hand. "Come here! Let's go on a walk."

Poppy felt her heart skip a beat. But then excitement rushed through her. A walk with Branch was just perfect for her right now! She ran to catch up to him, falling into stride beside him. Her hand brushed against his, and she blushed slightly. "Where exactly are we going?" she asked.

"You'll see," Branch responded. He led her deeper into untouched territory where they were alone. Poppy couldn't ignore the arousal she felt around him. She hadn't been too traumatized by Creek's raping, even thought it'd scared the daylight out of her in the moment. He hadn't impregnated her and that was all that mattered. She wasn't going to have his child and be forced to marry him, forced to crown him King.

Branch was the Troll she wanted to do that with.

They soon approached a small hill that led them to a full view of Bergentown. Poppy hadn't seen the now-happy creatures for a long time. They were skipping joyfully down the streets, laughing in small conversing groups, or playing. Just like the Trolls did.

Poppy gazed out at the pretty view. It pleased her quite a bit. Suddenly, the softness of hair draped around her body and she was pulled closer to Branch. She had almost forgotten about the Trolls' abilities to stretch their hair further than their normal length. Poppy did it a lot while singing and dancing.

Branch's hair fell back into place and he smiled. "Sit down, Pops," he said.

Poppy listened to his gentle order and stared up at him in interest. What was he going to do.

The blue Troll suddenly pulled out s guitar from behind him, positioning it neatly in his arms and strapping it around his shoulders. He began strumming it with delicate strokes of his fingers.

"It's a beautiful night..." his beautiful singing voice that she loved flowed over her. She glanced out at the horizon and saw the sun was starting to set, bathing the two Trolls in a soft orange light.

"We're looking for something dumb to do. Hey baby..."

He paused with his words and strummed the guitar louder.

"...I think I wanna marry you."

Poppy's eyes stretched as wide as two moons. Her mouth gaped open and joy lit her gaze. Was this really happening? A song and then...?

"Is it the look in your eyes? Or is it this dancing juice? Who cares, baby? I think I wanna marry you!"

He winked at her, and she felt her heart exploding with emotion. This was a dream come true. She thought she knew what would come next, but wanted to wait for Branch to make the actions himself.

He continued on with his strumming for a little longer before singing the next lyric.

"Well, I know this little chapel on the boulevard we can go—no one will know. Oh c'mon, girl. Who cares if we're trashed? Got a pocket full of cash we can blow. Shots of patron. And it's on, girl. Don't say no, no, no, no, no! Just say yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! And we'll go, go, go, go, go! If you're ready just like I'm ready. 'Cause it's a beautiful night."

He moved himself closer to Poppy, nothing but the sound of his gorgeous, melodic voice filling her ears at the moment. She had forgotten about everything else. She was entranced by his appearance, how his hand skimmed over his instrument. He paused for a bit before continuing with the pretty song. He hummed the rhythm rather than singing it for a while, and Poppy thought she noticed his movements were quite quick. Was he trying to get to something else? Excitement stirred through her more strongly at the thought.

"We're lookin' for something dumb to do!" his voice carried on, and Poppy's heart soared with admiration.

"Hey baby, I think I wanna marry you. Is the look in your eyes? Or is it this dancing juice? Who cares, baby? I think I wanna marry you! Just say 'I do.' Tell me right now, baby. Tell me right now, baby, baby. Just say 'I do.' Tell me right now, baby. Tell me right now, baby, baby. Oh, it's a beautiful night. We're lookin' for something dumb to do! Hey baby, I think I wanna marry you. Is it the look in your eyes? Or is it this dancing juice? Who cares, baby?  I think I wanna marry you..." His voice faded out at the last verse and he set his guitar down, his bright orbs twinkling with love.

Poppy was tearing up quite a bit now. Salty liquid spilled from her eyes and a smile grew on her pretty face. "Branch, that was beautiful!" she choked out, running towards him.

He stopped her with his hand held out in front of her. "Wait," he cooed.

The handsome blue male knelt down in front of her, pulling out a small wooden case and opening it in front of her. Poppy's eyes locked on an elegant silver ring with a sweet little ruby encased in it.

"Poppy, I've been thinking about this moment for a very long time," Branch confessed. "Ever since I laid eyes on you, I've thought you were the prettiest Troll on the planet. There's no doubting the intense crush I've had on you for years and years. So, I just have one question to ask." He held the ring closer to her, his grin growing. "Will you marry me, Poppy?"

Poppy shrieked in joy and rushed forward, gripping the small ring between her hands and slipping it down on her ring finger. She admired the way it sparkled on the sunset and then moved closer to Branch, wrapping her arms around his neck and feeling more tears wash her cheeks. "Yes! I will marry you, Branch!"

I had fun writing that. Gave me some satisfaction. Hehe.

Anyways, let's get to the question. Who was your favorite Bergen? I guess Bridget, I don't know. I'm not a big fan of the Bergens. But give me your answer in the comments and don't forget to vote!

EDIT: The song Branch sang was Marry You by Bruno Mars in case you're wondering >_<