Poppy is sick and Branch is taking care of her. Gray Branch. Takes place before Trolls

It was a beautiful bright morning and most of the trolls were outside singing, hugging, dancing and enjoying the day off except for one troll and that was the happiest troll of all Princess Poppy.

The pink troll was in bed coughing, groaning, she felt hot and cold. ''I can't be sick I have stuff to do.'' She said to herself as she got up and got dressed ready to pretend nothing was wrong.

She went outside but her legs felt weak as she was walking.

''Morning Poppy.'' Biggie called as he came over to her.

''Morning Biggie.'' She said in her cheerful voice even though she felt like crap sprinkles.

''Say, Mr. Dinkles is hosting a party this evening and we would be honored if you would come.'' Biggie said.

Poppy didn't feel like parties, she didn't want to lie but she didn't want him to know she was sick. ''I will try to come but I have a busy schedule.'' She said.

''I understand, getting prepared to be queen one day seems like a lot, but do try to come.'' Biggie said as he left.

Poppy was walking the best she could, most trolls saw her would say she looked fine, but she had weak legs and she limped a bit.

Not far away a grey survivalist troll named Branch was out picking up sticks when he saw the pink troll princess. He noticed something was off about her, she looked sad and miserable. With the other trolls Branch could of cared less but he had grown fond of the pink bubbly princess.

''Hey Poppy, what's going on looking green around the face.'' He taunted coming over.

Poppy looks at him with a sad sick looking face, she was shivering. Branch's face was replaced with concern as he caught Poppy before she fell over and felt her forehead.

''My trolls Poppy you're burning up! You should be in bed.'' He said worried.

''I can't I have s-stuff to do.'' She complained.

''Well, you aren't doing anything until you're better.'' He had dropped his sticks and carried Poppy bridal style to his bunker where it was cool and laid her on the couch and went to the backroom.

''You should of stayed in your pod Poppy. You're running a fever and it could get worse if you're up and running around.'' He told her coming out with a blanket and wrapping her up in it.

''B-But I can't have everyone knowing I'm sick they are depending on me.'' She said weakly laying down panting.

''Well, today they ain't counting on you. You need rest Poppy.'' Branch said coming over with a cold washcloth sitting next to her waist and dabs it a bit over her forehead cooling her down.

Poppy felt a bit better, and she was surprised at how sweet and caring Branch was very different from the sarcastic putting her down.

''I'll make you some broth.'' He said standing up and going to his kitchen to make it. Poppy smiles and fell asleep.

Branch was making the broth putting in extra stuff to help with a cold. He couldn't believe he was actually taking care of the princess. He had planned on going camping after he collected his sticks, but she was more important. Once the broth was done, he took it over to Poppy and saw she was asleep, he hated to admit it but she looked so cute sleeping with a half-smile on her face.

He shook her shoulder gently she turned letting out a yawn and opened her eyes. ''Hey.'' She said quietly.

''Hey Poppy, sorry to wake you up but here drink this broth it will help bring down the fever.'' He said softly as she sat up and he fed her.

After she finished it she looks at Branch and she grabbed his wrist gently before he stood up, he looks at her.

''Thank you for taking care of me. You could of took me back to my pod, got my dad or my friends.'' She said looking at him.

''Well, can't have the princess passed out in the open where bergans and such might catch you, and you're dad is busy so why not? I got room.'' He said.

''Well thank you just the same. I thought you hated me.'' She said.

''I don't hate you Poppy, yes you're annoying and loud, but I never hate you.'' He said standing up and taking the bowl to the sink.

That night Branch made a fire and felt Poppy's forehead and was happy to see that the fever had gone down. He sent a note to King Peppy telling him where Poppy was and what happened.

He sat next to her as they talked a bit about the weather and Poppy told him about the parties.

''And then Smidge dropped the cake getting the twins and they were so upset that their new outfits got ruined.'' Poppy giggled.

Branch let out a chuckle he was surprised by that, he looked at the time and stood up. ''I'll be right back.''

Poppy watched as he went to the bathroom and came out with a bowl of warm water and a small sponge with soap. Poppy looked at him.

''You need a to be clean but you can barely stand to take a bath so I will give you a sponge bath.'' He said feeling his cheeks turn red.

Poppy was surprised but shrugged and unpopped her dress as it fell down leaving her in her tube bra. Branch gulped and was trying to be a gentleman.

''Now if I touch a spot at anytime that you are uncomfortable just tell me.'' He said as he places the sponge and soap in the water rubbing them together and he starts sponging her face then to her neck.

Poppy smiles and felt her body jump at his touch he was so gentle and soft, she noticed he seemed at ease.

''Woah, your hands are soft.'' She murmured enjoying the warm water on her body, he was currently working down on her chest and stopped at her tube bra.

''Go ahead.'' She nodded.

He then places the sponge down her bra and cleans the best he can then to her stomach.

''Where did you learn to be such a good caretaker?'' She asked.

''It's one of the things my grandma taught me.'' He said smiling at her.

He continued going down her stomach and then to her thighs and then her legs. Poppy tried not to moan at the touch of her legs that were sensitive.

''So, do you collect sticks and food all day?'' She asked him.

''Yeah, mostly then I set traps outside of Pop Village. He noticed goosebumps on her legs.

''Are you cold?'' He asked worried.

''No, it's just my legs are sensitive and well it feels wonderful.'' She praised.

''Why thank you.'' He said as he cleaned her toes and then stood up to take the stuff to the bathroom.

He came back and they sat next to her and saw she was looking down playing with her fingers. ''Um Branch could you cuddle me please... I feel better if you did.''

Branch debated this and then he nodded and pulled her to this lap as they watched the fire that was going.

''So, did I ruin plans that you had tonight?'' She asked her finger playing with his chest.

''Why would you ask that?''

''Well I see that there is a bag over there in the corner.'' She pointed out when he was in the bathroom.

''Not really, I was planning on going camping this evening, but you needed me.'' He said his fingers sub-consciously ran down her back as she let out a shiver of pleasure.

''Your the best friend I've ever had.'' She smiles feeling happy that she was getting to him slowly.

He smiles at her. ''I'm happy to hear it.'' His cheeks turned red.

''You smell very nice.'' She said.

He smirks at that. His secret crush was complimenting him and he would take it.

''Its getting late and I'm a bit tired.'' Poppy said.

Branch nodded and was about to stand up. ''Don't leave me Branch.'' She pleaded.

He looks at her and thought of an idea. He picked her up and carried her to his big armchair and he sat on it and she was still cuddling in his lap with the blanket them and they fell asleep cuddling.

The next morning Poppy woke up and felt a lot better she looked around and realized she was in Branch's bunker she saw him making something in the kitchen.

''Morning Branch!'' She said happily.

''Good morning, I see you're back to your normal happy self.'' He said giving her a bowl with oatmeal in it.

''Yes, I am, and I owe it all you Branch, you need anything let me know.'' She said smiling.

''Well, it was a little nice having company but try to keep the loud parties down.'' He said as they finished eating.

''I won't tell anyone you took care of me.'' She said.

''Thanks, the only one who knows is your dad.'' Branch said.

Poppy looks at him and smiles. ''I want to give you something for all your trouble of taking care of me.''

''There is no need Poppy.'' He said.

She smiled inside happy that he called her Poppy the whole time she was here rather then princess.

''I insist.'' She walked over to him and kisses his cheek.

He froze and felt his cheek turn red and he let out a small giggle.

''I'll see you around Branch.'' She said as she left.

He was happy and grabbed his bag. ''On to fishing.''

A week later Poppy noticed Branch wasn't around and went to check on him and saw he was laying down running a fever and she smiled it was her turn to take care of him.