This takes place when Branch was blue (AKA Hot Branch 😏😂)

Enjoy!
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Chapter 12
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Third Person POV

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'What is my purpose?' Branch thought to himself. He was lying backside on bed while staring at the ceiling to his new pod. He couldn't sleep that night, maybe he was homesick? More like bunker sick.

Branch could've only dreamed of leaving his bunker; although his bunker was much more spacious and could store more things, he had too much space for himself alone and the stuff he once needed to store well, he didn't need anymore. He was sick of living alone, completely isolated from the village and those who inherited it.

But in all fairness, the majority of trolls inheriting that place didn't want him there anyway, so there was no reason for Branch to get a pod.

King Peppy had come several times on numerous occasions to his bunker before, to try and convince him to come stay in the village with the rest of the trolls, but King Peppy was completely oblivious to what the other trolls were saying about Branch. And every time King Peppy came he would always get the same answer,

No.

And a door slammed in his face.

And then Branch would stress for the rest of the day realizing how disrespectful he behaved towards the king, but he would never learn and keep repeating those actions every time he came.

Another reason why Branch never wanted to move into a pod was because, well his Grandma had a pod and, that's where she was, was taken.

"Aaaaand that thought is over now I'm getting up now." Branch said, a bit louder than he was expecting to. He clearly couldn't sleep, so he decided to get a warm cup of milk because I mean come on, who doesn't like a nice warm cup of milk before bed? (Unless you're lactose intolerant or allergic to milk)

While Branch was getting some milk to drink he looked over at his clock hanging just above the fridge,

2:30am.

Geez it was late- or was it early..?AGH I DON'T KNOW IM TIRED OK?

He was starting to get a bit scared that he was the only one awake, and that sense of loneliness he once felt at his bunker started to come back. Usually there would be a party going on but, tonight it was dead silent. He couldn't tell what _scared_ him more; the fact that there was no party going on or the fact that it was silent. Was Poppy asleep too?

Suddenly Branch heard a knock on his pod's door, followed by a high pitch voice calling his name,

'Speak of the devil.' Branch thought to himself as he went to the door to answer it.

As he opened the door, he saw a terrified Poppy standing in his doorway. His heart shattered into a million pieces.

"Poppy what's wrong? And, why are you still awake?" Branch questioned, quite concerned.

"I had a, nightmare, it's the first nightmare I've had before and- and I don't know what to do! I'm really sc-scared." Poppy started to tremor, almost falling as her knees weakened.

Branch quickly put his hands underneath Poppy's arms to stop her from falling over.

"Woah Poppy, take it easy. Don't worry I'm right here." Branch soothed and hugged her tightly before inviting her inside.

Branch switched on a small little lamp next to the bed he once lay on and sat Poppy down on his bed.

"Do you want to, talk, about your nightmare?" Branch questioned but quickly tried to defend,

"It's ok if you don't want to talk about it I mean, I'm not forcing you or anything I just want to help if that's ok-" Poppy quickly interrupted,

"It's fine Branch, but I was quite disturbing so I'm not sure you want to hear it." Poppy said as she allowed the silence to take over.

Then she broke that silence,

"Why are you awake though, it's already 2:40 am. Did you have a nightmare too?" Poppy asked, with a bit more concern.

"No no I didn't have a nightmare, I just, I couldn't sleep that's all. Which reminds me, do you want some warm milk?" Branch said and realized how ridiculous that sounded as he heard Poppy's soft giggles beside him.

"What else do yo expect miss 'fancy-pants?', not royal enough for you?" Branch teased and chuckled along with her.

"No it's not that it's just it's weird to offer someone warm milk." Poppy defended.

"It's not weird in this situation though, you need to fall asleep and warm milk is very helpful with that. Plus it helps with nightmares." Branch said in an 'I know it all' manner.

"Fine. Just give me the God-damn milk." Poppy said, completely oblivious to what she said.

"POPPY! LANGUAGE! There are little children reading this!" Branch said accusingly.

"Reading what?" Poppy asked.

Branch stopped and thought for a moment.

"I actually don't know, I must be going bonkers, it is 3am to say the least."

And they completely forgot about that random thought while Poppy sat silently on Branch's bed and Branch warmed to cups of milk.

When Branch was done warming the milk, he approached Poppy and handed her a cup of milk and Poppy couldn't help but blush. He had that warm smile that she loved seeing.

"Hey Branch?"

"Yeah Poppy?"

"Can I sleep here?" Poppy asked, she really liked Branch and didn't feel like walking in the dark alone back to her pod.

Branch stood with a straight face before returning a glance back and Poppy and smiling again.

"Sure, why not? I'll sleep on the couch." Branch said as he began getting blankets out of one of his cupboards.

"STOP!" Poppy shouted quite loudly forcing Branch to stop in his tracks. He turned around and stared at her, 'confusingly'.

Poppy then realized how loud she was and covered her mouth before she continued,

"I mean, stop because, we can sleep, together- I MEAN, not sleep together but, together but like not like that-" Every word that came out of her mouth made things 100 times 'awkwarder', Branch could see this and just silenced her,

"Poppy I get it, it's fine. And I'll lay with you." Branch said and began putting the blankets back.

"Branch, can you sing me a song?" Poppy pleaded. She really loved his singing, it was equivalent to an angel's.

"Poppy..." Branch tried to avoid the task she requested.

"Please Branch? It'll make me feel a lot better." Poppy proceeded to ask.

Eventually Branch gave in,

"Fine, what song do you want me to sing?"

Poppy didn't hesitate to answer,

"True colours!"

Branch sighed and began singing softly, not trying to wake anyone up.

"You with the sad eyes,
Don't be discouraged.
Oh I realize, it's heard to take courage
In a world full of people,
You can lose sight of it all.
The darkness inside you,
Can make you feel so small."

Branch was about to continue when he noticed Poppy leaning against his shoulder as soft sighs escaped her lips. She was asleep with a smile on her face.

Branch slowly picked Poppy up and placed her in his bed, then tucked her in and slipped in next to her.

Suddenly he felt a soft pair of arms rap around his chest. He glanced over at Poppy and smiled.

"Night Poppy, sweet dreams." Branch softly said before closing his eyes.

Branch finally realized his purpose,

to love Poppy.

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Sorry if the grammar and spelling was absolutely horrible. I wrote this a few days back and only skimmed through it. Thanks for reading and I hope to get more stories out soon!