Branch's POV

I wake up in my cozy pod, back on the Troll tree. We all moved back here after the Bergens signed a peace treaty with us and promised not to eat us anymore. All the old pods that weren't destroyed when we escaped are still here, which means that Poppy is living in her old baby pod – with some renovations, of course.

I remember how hard I had to fight to get this space on the tree, the one right next to her. Every single male troll between the ages of 15 and 25 fought me for it, but they backed off when they remembered that she said she loves me. They're trolls after all. They can't stand to make anyone unhappy, and I'd be much more than unhappy without Poppy.

A few months ago, Creek tried to come back and get in Poppy's good graces again, but for once, she wasn't willing to give a second chance. He wouldn't give up and tried to get rid of me by luring me to Chef, who wanted one last chance at happiness (by eating me). I escaped with some of Poppy's friends (I guess they're my friends too now), and we came back to the tree, where things have been fine ever since.

Well, almost fine.

I wake up and see everything I need to put away. All the books about two trolls falling in love that I used to cope with the love I felt and thought was unrequited. All the invitations she sent me and I never said yes to because I thought no one would like me. All the journals I've filled up writing about her, all the songs I wrote but never sang so I wouldn't hurt anyone else. I've never loved anyone else.

Every night, I read it again. I don't know why – it only makes my heart ache more for her. Ever since I told her the truth, that I've loved her since I was five, I've been trying to figure out what to do. We've done almost nothing since then. No dates, no kisses – no more than hugs. Everyone knows we love each other, but they won't give us space.

Poppy's painfully busy. As the new queen, she's in charge of easing all the trolls into the new relationships with the Bergens, which isn't an easy task. Some of the trolls are still afraid of them, and won't leave our tree. Some of the Bergens still haven't overcome their urge to eat us, but Poppy and King Gristle are working hard to make peace.

I've tried to help her, but she won't hear of it. She's positive she can do it all by herself. I've always been annoyed by her perpetual happiness, but it's for a different reason now.

I love Poppy for who she is, the happy, bubbly, pink princess (well, queen now, I suppose) we all know. I just wish she wouldn't be so optimistic all the time because I don't want her to get hurt when she gets let down. I still believe in what I said on our trip to Bergen town – bad things happen and you can't change that.

I don't want her to be so sure she can do it all that she overworks herself and collapses with a mental breakdown.

I wish she would ask for help once in a while.

I wish she'd ask me.

I start sorting out the huge pile of Poppy-related items on the floor and putting them into my safe. I've never gotten over what happened when those nosy trolls found my poetry in my old bunker when I left to save Poppy. Luckily (maybe unluckily?), they only found the stuff I wrote when I was around five. It's the cheesiest stuff ever, and people wouldn't stop quoting it every single time I walked by for two weeks.

Roses are pink like you

Violets are blue like me

This is most surely a sign

That we're absolutely meant to be

Just as I finish cleaning up, there's a knock on the door. "Who is it?" I call. Not that I have to. Poppy's the only one who comes to visit. The other trolls are trying, but they're still getting used to me. Heck, I'm still getting used to me. Being happy is a pleasant change in my life, but it'll be a while before I start coming to each and every party that Poppy throws. But at least I'm trying.

"It's Poppy!" she shouts. "I've got some news!" I enter the combination to all three locks on my door and let her in. "OMG, Branch! Aren't you soooo excited?" "About what?" I ask. "Wait, you haven't heard?" "Heard what?" She takes a deep breath and says, "Since the work of being queen and creating new laws and presenting them to the Bergens to be approved and approving their presented laws AND planning the first peace party with them is too much for me to handle according to my father, he's decided to make a Troll council to come up with good ideas for laws and meet with the Bergens to discuss them." "And?" I ask. "And YOU'RE ON IT!" She shouts at the top of her lungs.

"What? Why?" "What do you mean why? You're great at this stuff. You know everything there is to know about Bergens. You can negotiate with them. You're calm and focused and smart and handsome –" She stops and blushes until she's as red as DJ Suki. "Poppy, I just don't know. Everyone else on the council will hate me, and I don't know if I'm ready to work with the Bergens yet." She's clearly offended. "No one hates you, Branch. They'd talk to you if you would ever come out of your pod. And if you're not ready now, when will you be?"

I sigh. "Ok. I'll be on the council." "Yay! I am so glad you decided to do this. We could really use your help!" "Goodbye, Poppy." She shuts the door on her way out and starts singing.

I sigh again. What have I done?

Author's Notes

Hey guys! This is my first fanfic, I hope you like it! If you have any suggestions, please let me know. I should upload the next chapter in about a week, suggestions are allowed, but I may not be able to follow them.