Chapter Text
Color. The world flourishes with it. So many shades scattered as far as the eye could see. Even in a place that used to bring fear into the hearts of many, a vast kingdom was brought to life in a cacophony of colors. Painting the once quaint city in a vibrancy so full of life; bringing together people of many different shapes and sizes.
Two kingdoms were brought together on this occasion, in a gesture of friendship to unite their respective species in a ceremony everyone can enjoy. A joining of matrimony between two people whose hearts were full of love and happiness. Something a particular troll had some experiences in, his heart now full of so much emotion.
Having lived in isolation for many years left him devoid of any kind of hope. His world turned gray; lost in a sea of despair and self loathing over something he had no control over. Always waiting for the moment the door opened and his colors returned. But they never did.
Until he met a stubborn troll who could not even fathom the idea of his existence. Her curiosity always getting the best of her as she slowly started chipping away at the dam he built around his heart. He’d be damned if he’d never met such a persistent troll in his life. He’d never have been able to learn to appreciate the small things in life. She’d shown him so many different colors that he never knew existed in the world. His colors appeared so fluidly in a dazzling array of shades and the weight on his shoulders slipped away for the first time. She not only showed him true friendship, but how to be alive again.
Actually living each day like its the last and never looking back on what might have been.
And yet, at this moment. That’s the exact opposite of what he was doing as he stood in the middle of his childhood home. Sure, coming back to this kingdom was in celebration but it could never completely cover the history he’s faced within these walls.
Ghosts of his past fluttered around him. Music slowly overtook the silence as he gazed at an old photo. Several young trolls posed for the picture, each one almost an identical version of the other besides the hair. Pink, purple, yellow, green, and blue. Organized by color and some wearing matching vests as they stood smashed together. Each of them bore an expression that greatly represented their differences. However, Branch’s gaze sought out a particular troll within the frame, his hand resting gently on the childlike innocence this photo captured of himself as he clung onto the pink haired troll. They smiled so widely as they hugged but now that Branch was older, he could see the fragments of anger in his brothers gaze. Frozen forever in time within this frame.
His grandmother’s kind eyes and kind smile brought the entire group together in their last attempt at a family portrait before everything changed for the worst, leaving Branch alone for so many years.
He sighed softly, allowing the warmth of his tears to slip from his eyes. Unable to stop a soft smile from gracing his lips and wiping away any evidence of time that remained on the glass. The sounds of his brothers voices playing over the record allowed their magic to swell within the room as they sang their hearts out for all to see.
Branch could spend an eternity reliving his childhood like this, tucked away within the safety of the walls. The blankets may be a little stale having been untouched for a decade, but he didn’t mind as long as they offered warmth and safety.
His grandmother’s record player thrived with life as it played the familiar tune he’s since locked down deep. His past staring up at almost persistently, as if calling out to him pleadingly. Wishing to close the distance in a plea. Leaving him distraught and confused all at the same time. But why?
There’d be moments he’d felt a sense of helplessness overcome him in recent weeks. His powers grew out of wack and his colors would fade ever so slightly. It wasn’t enough to be noticeable on the outside but it was starting to affect his body in moderation. Leaving him feeling weak and trapped. Drained of energy he’s never had to rely on before. Could it be from living without colors for so long? But that couldn’t be possible considering it’s only now starting to affect him after almost a year of officially living again.
So many questions floated inside Branch’s mind. Why was he getting weaker? Why is he feeling the same pressure as before? If he let happiness inside his heart, why did he still feel the urgency of lying in wait for someone who may never return?
He may never get to answer these questions, his spiraling thoughts stopping dead in their tracks as a voice broke his barrier of tranquility. “No way! You’re listening to Brozone?!”
Branch’s heart fluttered in his chest, startled by his girlfriend’s sudden entrance. Which was a weird thought that he’s decided to process at a later time, thank you very much. But he shrugged the thought off. “I didn’t know you listened to them too!” Her excitement sparkled around her, practically radiating a light of her own as she skipped forwards and grabbed the album cover from the table.
He had to stop himself from yoinking the cover from her and placing it back as gently as possible. He could only watch anxiously as she waved it around nonchalantly. “Ooh! We should see if Bridget will let us play these at the wedding!!”
What?! Panic filled Branch at that and he had to think of something quickly before she disappeared. “No!”
At his shout, his pink haired girlfriend stopped in her tracks and finally seemed to take a good look at his face. Her smile instantly dropped and she was beside him in a heartbeat. “Branch, what’s wrong?”
He sighed in relief, thankful to finally place his family photo back into its place in his hair before taking the album cover from her hands. “It’s nothing, Poppy. I just don’t think she’ll appreciate the sudden change.” The lie fell from his mouth before he could process what he was saying. But it seemed to work in a way that he wasn’t expecting.
He could feel Poppy’s gaze burning a hole in the back of his head as he gently placed the record back into it’s original place after retrieving the disc from the record player. “Branch, it looks like you’re upset.” She prompted gently.
With a forced smile, he quickly wiped the tear streaks from his cheeks, not even realizing he was crying to begin with, and faced her with as much enthusiasm as he could muster. “What? Psh, no way.”
Amusement lit up her face at his antics and she rolled her eyes at him before taking his hands in hers, forcing him to look at her. “If you’re having feelings, you can talk to me.”
He nodded wordlessly, too lost in the fact that she could be anywhere else right now but she chose to find him instead. His heart surged with so much admiration for her, it warmed him to the touch. Their hands tingle from the contact but neither would move for fear of missing this feeling.
His smile slowly relaxed into a real one as he tighted his hold on her. “I know, but I…” His voice trailed off and he couldn’t look her in the eyes any longer. His chest may be full of admiration but fear closed his throat against his wishes. It overwhelmed him against all odds, its sharp pin pricks digging into his skin and leaving him feeling completely isolated. “I just can’t tell you. At least not yet.” He added the last part upon seeing the hurt on her face. “It can wait until after the wedding, I promise.”
“Are you sure? Because this feels like something you shouldn’t be facing alone.” Poppy spoke softly, her breath ghosting his face. She never pulled away from his embrace, instead she relished in it. Practically melting against his touch as she closed the distance between them.
“I’m sure.” He confirmed with a nod before pulling her into a hug so that she couldn’t see the frown that escaped him. Would he be willing to tell the only troll he loves that his time with her could be limited? With his new condition, he wasn’t sure of what the future holds for them. And that terrified him.
There’s a place where the darkest shades hide their worst parts.
Branch turned his attention towards the door, a faint call coming from behind. A shadow fell across the door and suddenly Branch was smaller. Younger. Staring at the door in muted excitement. He shrugged out of Poppy’s hands and rushed towards the door, his heart skipping a beat as he threw it open.
Branch wasn’t sure what he expected to be standing on the other side but when it remained empty, disappointment settled like a rock in his stomach. But I’m sure I heard something. The words must’ve came from right outside, he’s sure of it. He’d heard it plain as day.
“Branch?” Poppy’s voice sounded beside him. He chanced a glance at her and saw concern written across her graceful features.
“Did you hear that?” He answered, eyes back to scanning the area for whoever appeared to be trying to blend in. Whoever it was had to be close.
“Hear what?” She asked, falling to her knees beside him as she followed his gaze.
“Someone was talking to us behind the door. You didn’t hear that?” He asked, flabbergasted. Their eyes met and he only saw confusion in her gaze.
“What did they say?” She urged quietly, wringing her hands together in an attempt to hide her fear.
“ There’s a place where the darkest shades hide their worst parts.” Branch repeated the words, a sense of dread following the silence as he finished. Poppy covered her mouth in abstract horror and he turned away, unable to let this person get away with such ominous words without some form of explanation.
“Wow.” Poppy deadpanned, sitting back. “That’s something.”
Branch shifted and pulled his vest closer around his chest. Even if the day was warm, he’s freezing. A shiver ran down the length of his spine and he wasn’t sure if it was fear or the cold. “Yeah. It is.” He mumbled.
I’m not prepared for this. Branch thought to himself as he hunched over the edge of his grandmother’s pod. Unable to find anyone suspicious within the crowd of trolls and Bergens alike, decorating the courtyard in a dazzling array of flowers and balloons. A red carpet lined the walkway leading from the altar to the main doors of the castle where the couple awaited their special day.
The decorations were moving swiftly and it was just about time for them to make sure the bride and groom were ready in time for the venue. But Brach didn’t want to leave quite yet.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Poppy asked. She remained by his side with her feet under her, her voice soft as she spoke. “I can tell that whatever you can’t tell me is upsetting you.”
He looked at her and then back inside the pod that welcomed him with open arms. He sighed softly and longed for nothing more than to return to his bunker and lose himself in doing another scheduled maintenance job on his defenses in order to stop his spiraling thoughts.
“I’m just not sure coming back here was such a good idea.” He mumbled sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck. He faced her again, this time locking away his bizarre feelings underneath his admittedly fragile sense of happiness.
Poppy seemed to contemplate his words and followed his gaze before realization dawned on her face. “Oh! Oh, my gosh. Branch, I’m so sorry for not noticing right away.” Her hands slapped her cheeks in embarrassment and she hid her face from him in her hands.
“It’s okay, because you’re here now.” He chuckled lightly and gently grabbed her wrist, removing it from her face. She allowed him to pull her hand to his chest, brightening considerably at his reassurance.
“You know just when I need you, even if I can’t express that with words sometimes.” Branch couldn’t help himself but speak from his heart. Afterall, it belonged to Poppy more than it was his. She repaired him and taught him so much. She was his other half that found him in the darkness and brought meaning back into his life. Something he’ll never forget nor never stop saying to anyone who listens.
She pulled him to their feet and jumped on top of a small green bug that floated beside them. “I’ve gotta get Bridget ready for the wedding. Will you be okay for a couple hours?”
Branch nodded, taking the opportunity to stand on the other bug that offered its services to carry him. “I’ll be fine. I’ve gotta make sure King Gristle makes it to the altar on time.”
Their hands connected as they zoomed through the air towards the castle. Poppy practically foaming at the mouth in her excitement as she jumped in place. She squealed and pulled him closer, her earlier concerns long forgotten in a manner only she’s perfected. “I can’t wait for the ceremony! It’s gonna be so special and perfect.” She shouted, sending them spinning recklessly into the area where a couple of Bergens were blowing up balloons.
A particularly large balloon exploded into the air as the pump turned on with a loud gushing sound and Branch screamed as he braced for the impact of landing face first into it. But Poppy reacted faster and pulled Branch downwards. They slipped underneath of it with ease, loud cheering following their movements as he followed Poppy’s direction.
Together they danced through the air and harmonized their voices together, a swell of laughter filling the atmosphere of the party committee below. Branch couldn’t contain the song in his heart and he let it out as loudly as he could.
Everyone can see we’re together
As we walk on by
Poppy smiled at him and joined him, pulling him closer to her.
And we fly just like birds of a feather
I won’t tell no lie
He spun her in a circle, never letting go of her hand as they made their way down the courtyard. Cheers and laughter following them as everyone joined in their song. Their voices joining together in harmonic bliss.
All of the people
About us, they say
‘Can they be that close?’
Just let me state for the record
We’re givin love in a family dose
Poppy joined him for a final verse, giving him one final hug before shooting to the other side of the castle where Bridget was waiting for her. He smiled widely as she vanished from his sight and turned towards the open window connected to King Gristle’s bedroom.
His conversation with Poppy replayed in his mind on a loop. Her words meant the world to him. She actually cared about him and that’s something he couldn’t deny. But there was something in the way those ominous words stuck to him like glue. A place hiding in darkness?Darker colors? What does it mean?
He barely had time to shove those thoughts into the darkest corners of his mind before he was blown out of the water by the sight that awaited inside. The bed was torn apart in all respects. Blankets were strewn all over the floor, covered in some liquid Branch didn’t even wanna know. Paint had long since dried into the carpet and pizza boxes lined the floor. Half eaten pieces were strewn everywhere, somehow even ending up on the ceiling. The curtains were somehow torn off the hangers and were draped across furniture, large splatters of paint and outlines of trolls who were unfortunate enough to get pelted directly by the projectiles.
Branch crossed his arms over his chest at the sight of the Bergen King laying among the garbage and discarded blankets face down in a pizza box. Dressed in nothing but his underwear and his cape, his crown laying discarded above his head.
He pinched the bridge of his nose as he stepped off the bug and tried not to begin screaming his frustration for all the world to see. This is going to be a long day.