Fair warning: there's fluff at the end. If racy content isn't your thing, sorry (not really sorry).

"AAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Zia shrieked in fright, her arms flailing wildly as she continued to drop. She was still learning to control her hair, and wasn't yet accustomed to using it in life-or-death situations. Squeezing her eyes shut, she braced herself for impact...

...and was suddenly hanging in mid-air. Opening one eye cautiously, she looked down to see two coils of hair wrapped snugly around her waist - one bright pink, and one deep blue, extending from opposite sides to hold her in place. Too stunned to make any kind of movement, she closed her eyes again and tried to think of something more pleasant.

Poppy stared across the clearing at Branch, whose eyes remained fixed on Zia. "Don't move, Poppy!" he called out. "If we don't do this just right, we could cause her to fall the rest of the way!"

"Well, what are we supposed to do?" she shouted back.

"Trust me," said Branch. "We'll get her down, but we've got to do it slowly. Take one step inward, and reel her in just a bit. Try and match my movements."

She did so, her eyes darting back and forth between Branch's feet and the young Troll ensnared in their hair. A few inches at a time, and with their movements matching each other perfectly, they carefully lowered Zia to the ground. It was almost like a dance - a slow, painstaking dance, but still graceful. Aspen looked on from above, impressed at the care they demonstrated in their task. When Zia was a foot off the ground, Aspen breathed a sigh of relief, and swooped down from his perch with his own hair.

"You can open your eyes now, Zia," Poppy smiled. The coils of hair gently unwound from around her waist, and she could only stare at her saviors in complete awe.

"That was amazing!" she breathed. "Where did you learn to do that?"

Poppy and Branch looked at each other and shared a chuckle. "Oh, we've had a bit of practice," said Poppy.

"I owe you both my life," Zia continued, taking off the helmet and passing it back to Aspen. "Thank you so much, Mr. Aspen, but I think it'll be awhile before I try skitterboarding again."

"No problem, kid," replied Aspen. "Don't count it out entirely, though...it's the sport of champions! You should see Branch do it!"

Branch blushed and looked at the ground. He had been known to ride a skitterboard or two, even in his grey days, but it wasn't something he liked to draw attention to. Mostly he had taken it up as a way to improve his reflexes. "Are you sure you're okay, Zia?" he asked, checking her over one last time to make sure there was no blood, swelling or bruising.

"Yes, thank you, Mr. Branch," she smiled.

"No need for the 'Mister' - just call me Branch." He took one of her hands gently in his, as if still checking to make sure she was unharmed. "And please accept my heartfelt apologies for what I said earlier. I hope you understand I was only trying to help out a friend."

She smiled back at him, and he felt the weight of forgiveness lift from his heart. "Biggie is lucky to have a friend like you," she praised. "May I come back with you both? I...have something to say to Biggie. And to Guy Diamond."

"Of course!" said Poppy. "Have you made a decision already?"

Zia nodded. "I have."

"That was quick," Branch muttered. Poppy dug her elbow into his ribs. "AGH!" he protested. "What is with everyone's elbows digging into me today?"

"Oh, I'm not done with you yet," Poppy replied. The tone of her voice mystified him, and as the three of them walked back to the Snack Pack's meeting mushroom, he pondered his fate. Was she being playful? Or was she going to let him have it for his actions? Though he knew Zia had forgiven him, he still hadn't talked it out with Poppy. Granted, there hadn't really been time to bring it up, but he hated the thought of her being upset with him.

"Hi, guys!" Smidge called out cheerfully. "Oh, my gah - Branch, you look like you joined a boy band! Where on Earth did you get that shirt?"

"Hey!" snapped the twins. Smidge ignored them, and continued chortling. Branch smacked a hand to his forehead. He'd forgotten he was wearing the blasted thing.

"Did you see anyone you liked, Smidge?" Poppy asked hopefully.

"Nope." Smidge shook her head and grinned. "There was this one gawky little dude that seemed to like my act, but I don't think he's really my type. He tried to give me a flower."

Poppy put a hand to her mouth to hide a giggle. "Poor Luke," she said. "I'm sure he'll find someone eventually."

"Has anyone seen Fuzzbert?" wondered DJ Suki.

"We saw him out and about with a couple of females," replied Poppy. "I guess he'll be busy for awhile." She tried not to think too much about what that would entail.

"Cooper?" Branch put in. "Are you okay over there?"

Cooper lay completely sprawled out on the ground, his tongue hanging out of his mouth. "I never want to tap dance again as long as I live," he wheezed, looking in Smidge's direction. "She wore me out, Branch! No breaks, not even to make cupcakes!"

Now Branch was the one laughing. "Oh, you'll be back to tap dancing soon enough. Drink some water - and never say never!" he added, with a serious nod.

"Branch," whispered Poppy, "look."

He turned his head, and his eyes widened. Zia had pulled Biggie and Guy Diamond to one side, and now stood eyeing them both with a shy expression on her face. Branch's ear twitched; he wasn't normally one for listening in on other people's conversations, but he figured Zia didn't need to know just how sensitive his hearing actually was. He could keep a secret.

"I wanted to thank you," she began, "for making my first Springtime such a great one. You're both wonderful, but I believe there's only one mate for me."

Biggie's eyes widened, and he did his best to stifle a gulp. Holding Mr. Dinkles a little tighter, he waited to hear her verdict.

"Guy Diamond," Zia nodded to the Glitter Troll, "your dancing is amazing, and I meant it when I said you were an inspiration to me. I'd love to dance with you again sometime..."

Guy Diamond's jaw dropped. Biggie froze completely.

"...as long as Biggie doesn't mind." She stepped forward and placed her small hand in his much larger one. "Biggie, my heart sings when you look at me, and in your eyes I see stars that no Troll could ever hope to visit in this lifetime."

She's not half bad, thought Branch, his smile broadening.

The touch of her hand sent a warm feeling through Biggie's entire body, so much that he practically glowed. Placing Mr. Dinkles on his shoulder, he reached down to pick Zia up and spin her around in a loving hug, his laughter and hers mixing harmoniously. Guy Diamond stood back graciously, happy to see his friend finally get what he wanted...no, needed. Of course he would dance with Zia again, but it would be just for fun...nothing more.

Branch suddenly remembered the basket of pastries, still sitting next to the mushroom stalk, where he'd left it before running home to change clothes. Snaking his hair over, he latched onto the handle and spirited the basket discreetly over to where Biggie and Zia were still caught in their embrace. The strawberry tart was inside, waiting for Zia when they were ready.

Poppy admired the scene before her, and her own smile was just as radiant. All's well that ends well, she thought. Well...almost. "So...Branch. I think these two lovebirds will be just fine. Walk with me?"

He couldn't say no. He could never say no to his Queen. Even if she weren't royalty, she would always be a Queen to him. Without another word, he followed her to a secluded part of the forest. They sat side by side on a patch of moss, and it seemed like an eternity before Poppy spoke again.

"Branch," she said flatly, "You're a real jerk sometimes."

Ow! "Okay - I deserved that. Yes, Poppy, I can be a jerk! You've known me for how many years now?"

"A little over twenty," she replied matter-of-factly.

"Poppy, you sound like me! Are you alright?" Branch wasn't sure whether he was setting himself up for another outburst, but he felt the need to go on. "Look - I'm deeply sorry for causing tension. Not just today, but always. I'm not tactful like you are, but I am trying. I'll always be trying for you."

"What about for the rest of the village?"

That surprised him. Was she asking what he thought she was asking him? "Poppy, I'm a Troll too, and this is my home. I'll always be working hard to make sure our people are safe." Without thinking, he reached a hand up to graze her cheek. "I have a beautiful, passionate, miraculous Queen to love and protect. To offer my guidance when I can, and to comfort when the burdens of ruling become too much." His voice grew softer as he continued, his hand now mere centimeters from her hair. "She is my Sun, and I'm her Moon. The world revolves around her, and I revolve around her world."

Poppy looked down at his hand, barely daring to move. On the cuff of his shirt sleeve, she could see a golden crescent moon pattern stitched into the blue. The realization finally sank in: they were meant to be. Her pink eyes sparkled at the truth in his words, and she inched her face closer to his, wanting to be as near to him as possible.

Branch hesitated a moment before lifting his hand the rest of the way up to her hair. When he made contact, her eyes closed, and she sank willingly into his touch. Guided by instinct, Branch slowly leaned even closer, pressing his lips gently to hers. From there, it was all over. His hand reached deeper into her hair, caressing it lovingly, moaning into her lips as she fervently returned the kiss. The hum of the cicadas resumed; the shadows of the day grew long around the two lovers, who paid it no mind as their mouths continued their dance. Poppy brought a hand up to trace the outline of Branch's left ear between two fingers, causing him to shiver in delight. Through their continued oral contact, he emitted a low growl, his grip on her hair tightening just enough to hold her in place. She moaned softly, but made no move to resist. She pressed against him eagerly, reveling in how strong and warm he felt.

"Branch," she murmured through the kiss.

"Hmmmmmmmm?" he purred, his lips tracing up her cheek to nestle in her hair.

"We should probably, um...take this inside. It looks like it's getting late."

"Oh, now let me think," he chuckled softly. "If only we had someplace we could go...with a door we could lock...where no one would think of disturbing us..."

They pulled back to look at each other, grinning at the thought. Just as the sun was making its final descent into the evening sky, they arrived at Branch's bunker, and it seemed like he couldn't open the hatch fast enough. Poppy had chosen her mate, and could finally claim him as her own. As for Branch, he had never wanted anything more.