"Poppy, what are you doing?" Branch narrowed his eyes, not even having to turn around to tell the pink troll was coming up behind him. Sharp ears? Or maybe he was used to her dropping by.

They'd been living in the troll tree again, but he was with Poppy and some other trolls who were going back to their old homes for their possessions. She'd been leading most of them, and they'd been spending a lot of time together.

He had to admit, though, that the times had been stressful, even without the heavy fear of being eaten alive by a Bergen. There were troubles with having room for pods to fit all the trolls in the tree, and keeping the Bergens from… accidentally crushing trolls.

Not to mention, he was slightly lying to Poppy. Not directly, of course. He acted like the fact his colors had returned meant he was entirely happy; but in reality, everything came back to him too much. All the loneliness, solitude, unhappiness he had for 20 years would never completely go, but he'd rather Poppy went through life thinking that he was all cupcakes and rainbows, like he was before his grandma died.

No harm in that, right? He was doing it for Poppy. No one else. He loved her, and seeing her devoid of her happy pink hues only mad him feel worse. What if it happened again?

No troll would be willing to turn gray again. They experienced it for such a short time and said they'd never felt worse in that period, and they'd lost all hope. He'd even had others coming up to him, congratulating him for getting through hopelessness for 20 years. He remembered how it all felt, but he'd never voice that to anyone.

Poppy's voice snapped him back to reality. He jerked, twisting around.

"Branch! Finally! You zoned out." She laughed at him, punching him in the arm. "I was wondering if you'd want to come to the party tonight."

His instinctive fears flew at him, social anxiety at an all time high. She pulled out one of her over-the-top party invitations, and glitter flew in his face. He didn't brush it off or snap at her though. Snatching the invitation, he carefully folded it into his bag. He would never destroy her hard work again, even if he didn't go to the parties. Poppy still didn't know that he had kept them all.

She titled her head. "Branch? What are you doing?" She watched in confusion as he carefully laid it in his bag that was meant for the stuff he was bringing to their new home.

"Why are you having a party?"

"What do you mean, why am I having a party?" She giggled.

"There's no reason we should be celebrating, that I can think of, at least."

"I can think of one," She raised her eyebrows before shaking her head. "Branch, you sound like… before. Just this one party! We're celebrating how far we've come in the building. You've done so much for us, and so much to help." She pouted, staring at Branch. Maybe this could convince him, though she doubted it. "You're really important and we need you there."

He looked away, plopping onto the ground. "Poppy," He hesitated, crossing his arms. "Fine, but only if you're-"

"Right by your side the whole time? You got it, I'm right there!"

He looked surprised, glancing at her. "How did you know what I was going to say?"

"Don't question it, Branch," She laughed, sitting beside him and hugging him tightly. "Thank you soo much for deciding to come! It'll be perfect. Just for you." She got a strong urge to boop his nose… like with…

He's not Creek, Poppy! She thought accusingly, stifling a sigh. You can't treat him like Creek. It's not like you even miss that rotten excuse of a…

"Poppy?" He shook her. "Did you hear anything I said?" He narrowed his eyes at her.

"I- no, I'm sorry, Branch. Just didn't listen. I was thinking about some stuff." She shrugged.

Me, too, Poppy, he thought. Instead, he said, "Are you okay? You look a little-"

His Hug Time bracelet 'ding!'ed at the same time as hers. They stood, arms out.

Hug Time!" She cheered, squeezing Branch. He hugged her back, still concerned. She wasn't herself, and if she wasn't going to talk to him, he'd find out from someone else."

The Snack Pack. He wasn't a fan of them, really, but they weren't all that bad. He just didn't understand why Satin and Chenille had to make such a huge deal about it when he told them he was coming over.

"Oh my goud!" They'd harmonized. "We're calling everyone!"

"Not Poppy!" He'd insisted, and they'd laughed, promising they wouldn't. In the end, he'd had to just walk away since they wouldn't stop talking.

Now, he walked to their pod, one of the only ones grown already. It wasn't hard to find, and they were the most fashion forward, not only in clothing, but in décor, too. He climbed his way up the tree, opening the pod and colliding with Smidge right as he began to step inside.

The small troll marched to the side, allowing him room to step in. Their pod was beautifully decorated and designed. He had to admit, he was impressed, even if the twins were a little hard to stand at times.

"You're-"

"Here!" They cheered, joined by the rest of the Snack Pack: Biggie, Smidge, Fuzzbert, Guy Diamond, Cooper, and DJ Suki. Chenille pulled Satin over to the couch, sitting on it. Satin pointed over to the recliner. "Take a seat." She said.

He tried to hide his discomfort, seating himself where directed. "I came to ask about... Poppy," He admitted, opening his mouth to speak again. He was cut off by Guy Diamond.

"I knew you two were going to get together!" The glitter troll sang, jumping from his seat. Biggie followed, and they laughed, while everyone else gossiped about the two troll's relationship.

"Everyone has known about it, ever since we helped Bridget on her date with King Gristle! You said all of that stuff about her, and you know it!" He continued, grinning.

Branch felt his face heat. Why was he blushing? He crossed his arms. "Okay, fine. Yeah, I like Poppy, but that's not your business, so stay out of it." He rolled his eyes. "I was actually wondering what's up with her. I'm worried."

"Of course you're worried." Biggie wiggled his eyebrows. "You're her king, after all."

"Shut up! I'm being serious! She's not okay, and if you guys can't realize it, fine." He started to stand.

DJ raised a hand. "Yo, it's not my business, but I agree; she's not been acting the same recently. Maybe Branch's got a point, we should hear him out." She looked at him with pity, as if apologizing for her friends.

Satin nodded. "But, sugar, she hasn't peeped a single word to us about a thing!"

"No, sis, remember the one-"

"Chenille, she asked us not to tell him,"

Branch shifted uncomfortably. "Why didn't she want me to know? Doesn't she trust me?" He was confused. Why were they being so mysterious all of a sudden?

"Sorry, sugar." Was the last thing he said to him before he was shoved from the chair and ushered from the twin's pod by the Snack Pack, who looked like they were about to be sick themselves. What was going on anymore? Was there something he wasn't being told?

And why wasn't he being told it?