Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Hi everyone, 

Open story call out, 

Pairings I won't do in this story, Broppy (this is because every time I try she comes out evil or as a sister) And BranchxChaz ( no offence to the pairing but his tongue freaks me out)

Now I have the traditional one I write.

This is open to all commenters not just registered. 

Branch x Hickory 

Branch x reggaeton (or individual)

Branch x Tresillo 

Branch x Tambora 

Branch x Marimba 

Branch x Dock, ( I know he's not a character but I have an idea)

Branch x Kismet (or individual)

Branch x..............

I will also take a brotherly (family) love not BZcest but family love. 

Also would people be interested in the playlist or songs I use for the inspiration or what get the story done 

Chapter Text

Branch hummed in pleasure as hands stroked his body, gasping as a warm chest settled against his back, words in a foreign tongue were being whispered in his ear, moaning as the busy hands stroke and tease his over sensitive body, a twin thumps echoed around him, as a second set of hands joined his torture, teasing his chest, pulling their hip together, feeling a rigid shaft against his own, Branch moaned as the purple body in front rocked them together.

 ‘Slow down, or It will be over before we begin’, the firm voice from behind grabbing the purple troll in front and pulling them both close, Branch moaning louder as the body rutted at his arse.

‘Look at our beautiful little Mutiara’ lips were attached to Branch’s neck as one of the trolls parted his thighs, he had been laid against something soft, it was softer than his bed he jumped slightly as the second, he couldn’t make out the faces yet but Branch knew they were blue and purple, touching his most intimate area, the blue troll pulled away hovering next to the purple as they stared at him.

‘He will be the perfect Queen for our people’, the purple nodded at the blues comments, ‘imagine him swollen with our eggs’ Branch keened as hands started to tease him, teeth marking his inner thighs, more words he didn’t recognise but would remember, the way they were spoke was lyrical, a beat behind them, it wasn’t pop, but he liked it, preferred it.

Branch felt close, so close to the edge, when one of the two slid a finger inside him, the other joining him, the two fingers working him open, when he froze, a sharp inhale, as a pair of matching grins looked down on him.

His body arched as he screamed from the assault on the spot inside him, his body trembling as he came, his head was pressed against the dark blue trolls chest a pink light steadily thump like a heart under his ear, hands offering soothing pets to his pale blue body, as the purple troll settled behind him this time laying soft kisses to his shoulders and neck, Branch sighing enjoying the feeling of warmth and love coming from the two.

‘Can I know who you are yet?’ he whispered knowing the answer, yet hoping for it to be different, ‘not yet our sweet Mutiara, you are not ready for us yet’, the blue troll whispered.

Closing his Branch held back the hurt he felt, ‘what more can I do?’ hands trailed his cheeks tilting it upwards, a soft smile was the one thing he could recognise on both, ‘You need to open your heart to music Little Mutiara’ purple arms wrapping around him as he tensed, a kiss was pressed to his neck, ‘we know it is frustrating, know it hurts us to not be able to tell you, we want to but we know if we do you will hide from us’ the purples voice always seeming to have a cheerful, had a little sadness in his tone.

‘Branch, Mutiara’ he looked at the purple, ‘we know how hard it is for you, and when you’re ready, we’ll be there arms open, waiting for you, and we will never let you go again’.

‘We promise Branch’, the two trolls held him between them as his eyes closed.

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Branch woke with a familiar sad ache in his chest, looking at the dirt ceiling of his room, he’d been having these dreams for years, they started simple, he was by a beautiful beach, walking along the sands, alone a comforting thumping echoing around him, finding small things like glow sticks and even fancy stone necklaces, they had translated into his every day.

 Branch had a box dedicated to the things he found put about his mates, it was the one most important thing he took from the tree along with his vest.

Pulling it out he looked at his hand, his colours were back but muted, not as bright as he remembered them being, sighing he looked at the box, he knew what was in there.

Ear flicking as Branch heard the tell tale sounds of morning song starting, ‘open my heart to music’, arms wrapping around himself, he got his colours back, but as fast as he had them they were dull again, he was singing again but he couldn’t keep up the constant songs like before, his moves were on point, Poppy kept telling him, but it felt wrong, it always felt wrong it had as a child, he was always drawn to the water, wanting to be in it, under it, he felt like he was in the wrong body.

Looking at his legs he always thought they were wrong, like they should be longer, he was a good dancer his brothers, Grandma, everyone told him, but he always felt clunky and out of tune, with longer legs or a fin, it was always a single fin he dreamt of, it was always when he was in the water he felt most graceful and at peace.

Shaking his head he grabbed the list of chores he had today, before being caught by Poppy and brought into morning routine.

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Branch stood at the edge of the area, he watched Poppy speaking to the leaders, the blue techno troll was chatting to Poppy as a purple and green one came floating over, arms immediately wrapping around the navy king, who smiled holding the purple, when purple and green eyes turned locking onto him, their eyes glowing when he heard it, ‘mutiara’ echoed in his head.

Branch felt his body flush, his heart rate speeding his legs shaking as a pins and needles sensation ran through them, he felt mind jolt as the beat from the techno music pulsed through his body, his vision tunnelling the longing in his heart was drawing him over to the two.

 The pack he had been holding hit the floor, with a loud thump, never noticing the way everyone stared at him in concern, the two trolls in front of him were most important, they were smiling at him, the world around him buzzing, he felt like water was rushing around him, the world drowned out by the thump of his heart.

‘BRANCH’ Poppy running towards him her arms holding him as he, ‘Are you okay?’ the world came rushing back, the sound too loud and bright, looking at Poppy he never saw the matching grins on the royals.

A thumping echoed around the stadium, Branch saw Cooper and Prince D stood together with their parents who stared at him with a soft knowing smile, D smiling at him happily like he knew what was happening.

When Poppy let him go, Branch fought back gripping her dress, his legs shaking and his heart pounding in his ears, as the techno trolls stared at him love and longing in their eyes and a little mischief.

A small hitch in his breath as a two phantom hands grazed his back.

Poppy guiding him towards the Funk royals Branch chanced a small glance over his shoulder seeing the two trolls, who gave him a warm smile, causing him to blush and turn away.

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Branch laid in his bed trying to calm his mind, so much had happened, he exhausted and awake all at once, he placed a hand on his heart, the heart which didn’t beat pink like the other pop trolls but more colours.

He gave up sleeping and went to his bathroom, standing in the shower he let the water rush over his too warm body, when he felt phantom hands trailing his sides, legs, lips trailing his shoulders, he whimpered as they stroked and touched, his knees almost buckling, he knew it was his Blue he knew the way it felt he always moved fast, purple was at his neck, his eyes closed the colours flashing behind them, purple and green arms holding his hips he rut against him, he saw the pulsing rainbow bands attached to the blue hands, his knees did buckle when he felt the blue hand slip between his thighs, blues lips on his neck the two working together to bring him to over the edge, when he heard it again the music, he recognised it now techno, panting, Branch almost screamed when he felt something enter his body, a mist hanging around him, his heart beating harder faster, his limbs hurting as they changed, his legs becoming longer, body slimmer, a beautiful fin, flopping in the water, but he hardly had time to admire it, as his head starting to pound causing his vision to tunnel.

Branch cried out before passing out as the rest of the changes took place.

‘Where coming our beautiful Mutiara’ whispering softly in his head.

In a dark ocean far from of troll village two techno trolls woke, matching grins on their faces, ‘he’s ready’ pressing soft kisses together, they swam out to ready the room and place for their Mutiara, making sure the luxury and love their beautiful mate had been and was denied would be available, they had waited long enough and so had he, their triad would be complete.

A letter had reached the Palace, with an invitation for an ambassador to attend troll village, ‘I’ll go, I’ll take Laguna Tidepool she will be ambassador I will be an escort until she is settled, then I will be able to search for our Mutiara, he said there was a water source to his home, I can follow it and find him, I’ll be able to send you a shell to join us’ Synth picked up a small blue shell stringing on a chain and putting it around his neck.

Trollex stared at Synth green his luminous green eyes taking in the uncrowned King, Synth had refused to be crowned until their Mutiara was bound to them.

‘Branch's transformation will almost be finished, he will need us both, you will need to be swift my Swordfish, our Mutiara’s heat will be starting soon, and it will take both of to cool it, perhaps’ Trollex pulled Synth by the hips the rave earlier had riled him up ‘you should scout ahead, to ensure a suitable area for our subjects to rest’ the idea of bringing back their third wasn’t lost on Synth, it would be easier for him than Trollex, while he was one third Trollex was still the primary King of Techno reef and needed to be here after the world tour, their people while forgiving were naturally furious with the damages done to their home, and the two royals were understandably still furious about what happened with their beautiful Mutiara, even with the Funk tribe, whom they were grateful to for checking and the kind Queen herself coming to let them know the sweet mate to be was well, but there were other concerns about him.

A small pang of fear went through their bodies, their Pearl was waking up, Synths purple eyes widening as Trollex’s gained a sad understanding, their mate was scared and with good reason, they weren’t with him yet he was vulnerable and alone, with a new body shape.

‘Go’ Synth didn’t need to be told twice, ‘I will send Laguna after, he needs us now,

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Synthesiser or Synth, was the Master of the Tide and Current, it was a gift of his family line, it was normally very weak, but he, he had been born with considerable strength and mastery as a young age, was speeding past in a controlled current, the trident of his family glowing in his hand commanding the water to move to his will.

 Following the small echo which was getting louder as he got closer to a small natural underground spring, his head poking up ears twitching trying to sense any predators, a natural protective side of Techno trolls, large birds were not their friends, more than once had a guppy been lost to them due to the creatures, it was a shame Synth truly thought bird were stunning almost like the Techno trolls of the sky.

Feeling nothing Synth breached the water fully when he heard, his sensitive ear picking up the soft moan, leaving his trident resting against the wall he trusted their mate, and he was alone when he changed, it had taken Synth a few hours to reach here so he should be almost done.

Synth entered the bunker, hearing the sound of running water Synth followed, ‘Branch, Mutiara’ Synth heard the groan again, he found Branch laid in in the shower basin, as was immediately concerned, he was unconscious, the water hitting his body was keeping him cold, his heart was thumping too slow, Synth didn’t have time to admire the troll he knew he would be beautiful no matter, but Branch needed heat he was pale and not in a good way.

Carrying the new Techno troll from the too cold water Synth ran as fast as possible mindful of his treasure, he lowered himself into the warm waters first, dipping the long pale fins into the spring first, before slowly submerging his treasure keeping the pale head against his shoulder, one arm wrapped carefully around Branch ensuring he wouldn’t slip, Synth cracked the blue shell with his other, he needed Trollex here now, their mutiara needed them both.

Synthesiser had never been as scared as he was when he found their third near unconscious and in danger of passing before they even met properly, he felt the shift in the water, but his eyes were fixed on the slowly deepening colour of their precious Branch, he heard the water before he saw Trollex, his purple eyes locked on their third, as far too pale troll remained pale but a more natural pale, Branch gaining a soft lilac flush on his cheeks.

‘Swordfish’ Trollex’s concern was palpable, lips pressed against his shoulder, ‘he was in cold water too long’ he felt his lover tense against him, before moving to the other side of their blue Mutiara.

It was helping, between them and the water, their Branch was warming the paleness giving way to a stunning colour, Branch was a rare colouring, pale blue and white scales shimmered like the sun hitting the waves, his hair a blend of royal blue, violet and aqua, the bands on his arms signifying his status as part of the royal court, a blending shade of royal purple and blue, the pixel heart on his chest beating a shade of deep blue, their mutiara was truly a rare beauty.

Both techno troll rejoicing as their third started to wake, small shifts and humming alerted them, when tired eyes fluttered open, they were stunned the blue was one they would see on the first rise of the sun on a clear day.

‘You’re here’ the voice like the clearest bell, soothing, yet they knew he would hold command and attention when needed, Trollex stroked his face, cupping his cheek, ‘yes Branch, we are here, our beautiful Mutiara’.

Synth looked at how tender his kingfish was being with their pearl and felt his heart warm the beating reaching the pairs ears, they turned green and blue looked at him, their own beats matching his as they combined.

Branch stared up in awe picking up sound it was the same as his dreams it was their hearts beating together, Branch couldn’t help it the touch of his blue and purple was driving him right now.

‘Come my Swordfish, we must bring our Mutiara home’ Synth nodded feeling the effects of them being together, their Branch was shifting, tiny gasps and soft moans at Trollex touch, ‘Lex, kingfish, you need to stop working him up’ he grabbed the rainbow wrist, fingers teasing the edge of beating heart.

‘Tch, fine’ Trollex pulled back touching the pale face, ‘come our Branch, we will take you to your new home’ Branch felt fingers trail down his body his hip twitching, ‘mmm, new...new home’ his mind felt foggy, ‘yes our Branch, hold on to me’ purple looked at him he clung to him, his blue was stroking his body again, it felt amazing, ‘ah’ panting as purple held him close.

‘LEX, STOP’ Branch whimpered as the raised voice, he was pulled closer to his purple and green mate, ‘Its okay our Mutiara, we’ve been waiting for you for so long, Trollex is just a little over excited’ Synth chuckled as Branch moaned, ‘I suppose we both are’ his hand trailing the shimmering scales, rubbing at the soft belly, dropping a kiss to the pale shoulder, getting a breathy hum.

‘Starfish’ the cocky voice scolded him, ‘sorry’ he wasn’t in the slightest, ‘come my loves, let’s go home’.

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Branch was in awe, speeding through the waters, he looked to his two mates, Synth his purple and Trollex his blue, they danced through the water the deep colours shimmering as they moved, he never felt so at peace as he did swimming with them, he finally felt free and happy the smile on their face infections as his own wouldn’t leave.

Branch was trying to take everything as when the reef came into view, his heart stuttering at the damage and the repairs still happening, he felt his hand being taken, ‘all will be well Branch, we will rebuild and now our kingdom will be whole’ Trollexs arm wrapping around him and Synth.

A thrum went through his body, causing a sharp gasp as hand held him up, ‘come we must get inside’ two sets of hand guiding him towards the Palace, as they entered a pale purple troll swam up ready to greet them before looking at him nd swimming away, orders spilling from her quickly as they followed.

Branch was brought to a set of ornate shell patterned doors, soft kisses pressed to his head, ‘we will see you shortly Branch, you will be in the best of care and everything will be explained’ Trollex took his hand pressing another kiss, before backing away giving Synth his turn, ‘Laguna is our friend and a little shy but a most knowledgeable troll, she will explain and answer any questions you have, you need to prepare it is a small ceremony but it must happen before we can become one, trust me, trust us our Pearl we will be waiting’, Synth swam back to Trollex their hands joining.

Treading the water nervously Branch looking between the doors and his soon to be mates, he was terrifiedof being left alone, taking a small breath and puffing it out quickly, Branch looking to Laguna who gave a small smile whoch he returned nervously, taking the offering of her hand before he chickened out, he looked back with a small smile of his own before taking the offered hand.

‘Take care of our Mutiara Laguna’ was the last thing he heard before the door shut behind him.

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Branch was brought to an ornate bath house, he was swarmed by several techno trolls, pulling him towards the room, ‘Laguna’ he called nervously.

‘All will be well Branch, it’s all part of the ceremony’ her calm voice replied.

Branch was brought to a table, where he was seated, bottles, lotions, and a parade of fabrics and cushions were brought through the doors, his eyes wide he looked at Laguna overwhelmed, ‘Synth and Trollex insisted on all of these, for you to choose from but if I can make a suggestion, the clothes where Synth he wanted to spoil you and the jewellery, well that’s Trollex from the vault and some custom pieces’, Branch stared in awe and a little fear, his mates to be could give him such fine gifts, what could he offer to them, he went to touch the fabric, when a green troll stopped him, ‘not yet’.

‘It’s okay, they want him to chose’ the troll nodded gesturing to the chair bringing out the fabric Branch was going to touch, it was a shimmering white and silver robe with a simple belt of blue very much like his colouring, ‘if I may’ Branch nodded, perhaps it is too much like your scales, you have such beautiful colours, but they should stand out perhaps something like this, it was a soft green at the top fading to a white which matched the tips of his fins, green had been the colour of his vest, ‘it’s beautiful’ he bit his lips seeing the ears of the green trolls dip, ‘I like the pattern, but maybe some thing blue or aqua’ he smiled shy, perking up and laughing as the troll bounced in the water as they swam pulling a robe from the from the back.

A rich aqua and navy fabric, aqua flowing to a soft pale blue ending in a rich and beautiful royal blue with a soft trim in the same colour, it flowed similar to the other just off his shoulders and flowing, ‘I know just the jewellery to go with it’ Branch squeaked and almost fell from his seat as four cushions were pushed at him, ‘these are everything that goes with this robe and you’ll look stunning’

Branch stared at all the pieces, his heart thumping heavily he was panicking, Laguna jumped forward, shooing everyone away, ‘why don’t we start with oils and lotions first, and we will come back to robes when we’re finished’.

Branch breathed slowly, smiling his thanks at Laguna, bur was shocked as the trolls started pouring creams and oils on to his fins and scales as two started working on his hair.

He saw the intricate braids they wanted to put into it, ‘please, stop, I don’t want all the fuss’

‘but Tradition’

‘Laguna, I understand and I will, but I don’t want to flash and fuss, they like me for me, I like simple’ the two trolls behind him smiled, what about two sets of braids to hold the hair from his face, weaving some silver and gold strands through, he smiled as they showed him, they offered make up he took a small amount of Eye makeup it was different from what he was used to, so he let them.

He loves what they did, he turned his head, seeing the subtle shimmer.

He watched as they collected the cushions, ‘simple’ they nodded bringing three of the sets over, he looked at each, still in awe of them, he pointed to the smallest set, a few seed pearls and a matching necklace, the layering of stones would drape over his shoulders, he swallowed imagining Synth behind him, his hands unclasping the chain holding it shut, Branch felt his body heat up, his soft gasp echoing around the room, he blushed ducking his head as everyone smiled at him knowingly, a delicate aged pink hand tilted his face upwards ‘it is a blessing to have a mate, I know when I found mine, I was very much the same, you don’t need to be embarrassed, it is all very natural’.

He gave a shy smile, ‘you are precious to our King and Prince, they adore you already and you have been kind to everyone you have encountered here today’ he was pulled into a gentle hold, ‘is there anything you like on the racks, you mustn’t touch them we must dress you’

Branch nodded, ‘would you like me to pull some simple ones, and you can point out any you like’ she gave a pointed look to the green techno troll, ‘and Arma will pull them’.

Branch nodded, smiling he was still a little over whelmed, but was happy when the kindly pink troll patted his cheek softly, he watched as she went through the fabrics pulling various shades.

He watched the were added to a new rack, ‘wait, that one’ the elderly troll held a white robe, the way it shimmered matched the pearls which when it moved purple, green, blue moved with it, it would hide the pearls draped across his body, he felt his face flush once more, as the pink troll smiled, helping him into the robe, she sat him once more in front of the mirror, a crown of flowers placed on his brow, ‘a blessing from across the seas, once flower each part of the kingdom’ Laguna swam up to him, ‘you look wonderful’.

He followed Laguna back to the doors, thanking everyone for their help, as he swam away he missed the wide and haply smiles from the room, they were happy their King and Prince had found such a kind hearted troll to rule with them.

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Branch floated inside a room, he had followed Laguna to a set of stunningly carved doors and told to wait inside, he wasn’t to leave.

Looking at the room he took in the craved bed which was grand and covered in floating materials similar to some of the robe he had seem, the windows were large he could see the whole of the reef, it was beautiful, Branch floating was watching the trolls swim about, they were happy, but not in the same way troll village this something different, calm, when he felt someone watching him, turning Trollex and Synth floating behind him near the doors.

They wore robes which were matched perfectly to each others scale colours, their own jewellery matching, Branch felt like perhaps he should have chosen something more ornate, but he was practical in his clothing preferring to get his use out of if, he preferred the simple things, he didn’t need glitz and glamour of the others but Laguna had said the pair had chosen everything for him, to look good on him, but left the choices to him.

‘Branch’ Synth whispered staring at him, Branch flinched thinking he had done wrong.

‘I’m sorry, I can change’

‘Now why would you change our Pearl’ Trollex swam slowly upto him something drifting in the current Branch blush and clench his fins together, ‘tell us our treasure, why did you pick the pearls and this robe’ Branch watched, unconsciously following the lazy circle Trollex swam around him, before standing behind Synth blue hand resting on the navy robe.

Looking at his own robe, Branch picked lightly at the fabric, watching the underwater lamps reflect off it, ‘I like the way the light moves over it, creating a rainbow effect almost, and the colours the pale blue and purple remind me of you, the softer side you’ve shown me, the green is part of who I am, but it matches the colours in the pearls almost’ Branch saw the smile between his two dominant mates, he blinked, where had that word come from.

Branch felt the currents shift again, something warmer as Synth took his turn swimming around him, ‘And the pearls’ his mind flashed to the thought he had as they were settled on his new body, it was made more real as Synth stayed behind him, feeling the soft flicks of water hit his fin, the robe floating around him.

Gasping as Synths hand took place at his lower back his finger stroking lightly, Branch turned into the hold, his body heating up breaths becoming shallow, ‘the pearls, our Pearl’ Trollex was at his other side a hand stoking his belly over the robe, their free hands holding his as they came closer sandwiching him between them.

Branch was warm, purple and blue hands holding his own as the others were teasing his body over the robe, words from their shared dreams filtering through his memory, ‘manah miwah jiwa titiangé’ he whimpered, the hand stopped moving, Synth leaving his back, as a firm hand cupped his jaw, ‘you speak’ Branch nodded bleary eyed, ‘I wanted to know what you said, to be able to speak with you’ he swallowed a gasp as a Trollex claimed his mouth in a bruising, possessive kiss leaving him dazed as he clung to the blue king, ‘the pearls?’.

‘it was Synths love of teasing me’, the purple hand returned stroking the back of his neck, ‘I saw them and imagined them falling from me as one you snapped the clasp’ he felt Synths fingers dip into the gap, touching his bare neck, head automatically dipping forward to allow more access.

‘Synth’ the sharp tone in Trollexs voice had the purple hand halt, ‘is that the only reason?’ was sent to him, ‘no, they are simple, the others were beautiful yes, but they were too much for me, if this continues’ he heard the muttered ‘as if we’d let you go’ and continued ‘I understand I might be required to wear the others, but I am simple, I have never owned much, I prefer simple it is easier to replace or repair, there is much I like about them, but I prefer them because it is what you named me’ Branch gave a shy smile to his dominant mates, praying they were the right words.

Trembling as Synth and Trollex pulled away, Branch lowered his head, a single tear slipped down his face, ‘I’ll leave’ he stated to swim away when he felt the current again, pulling him back, ‘Mutiara iraga kija ragane jagi lunga’ arms wrapped firmly around his waist, he couldn’t look at them.

A hand forced his chin up ‘Mutiara’ thumb brushing his cheek, ‘mutiara iraga’ he flicked his eyes up looking at the blue face, a soft kisses were peppered across his cheeks, ‘don’t be sad, mutiara’ the hand trailed down his chest resting at the robe belt, he felt Synth swimming up behind him the current was spinning around him.

‘Come mutiara lay with us’ Branch followed the pair being laid amongst the soft white sheets it felt amazing, much like the dream Trollex at his back hand roaming over him, his fins nudging at his own, Synth at his front kisses pressing down his front over the robe.

‘You are truly a rarity amongst us’ Branch felt his body burning, each word of love whispered in his ears, against his robe, he felt a hands trailing his body the robe moving at each touch, his body heating unnaturally as hands pulled away, his dominants pulling away leaving him a trembling mess, panting he saw them disrobing, their scales glowing in the lowering lights of the room, Branch couldn’t help the moan and gasp which followed, his body arching, ‘what, what’s happening’ pleasure coursed through his body, his hips twitching, hands clenching into his white robe, ‘We need you to give permission Branch, mutiara, let us love you, let us worship you, we want to give you everything you have been denied’ they spoke together, ‘may we mutiara iraga’.

Branch blinked back tears, nodding ‘yes, yes, manah miwah jiwa titiangé, please’ Branch opened his arms as the pair swarmed him, hands running over him on him, lips pressing kisses to his covered shoulders, face, the pearls around his neck, teasing the skin below it.

The robe was opened and slid from his body, curling his fin under, Branch sat as Synth pulled back, his purple eyes wide, ‘mutiara, you are so beautiful’ a purple hand traced a string of the pearls which laid across his chest, he saw the blue pixels of his own heart thumping at each touch, he watched the green move in time with his.

Trollex returned his body siding behind him, lips pressing against his shoulder, arms holding his hips pulling him onto Trollex’s lap, ‘you said one of us snapped this chain’ his blues voice was low in his ear, Branch felt his breath speeding up slightly, head dropping onto the kings shoulder, green eyes meeting his, as a hand cradled his throat gently tracing the line of the necklace, ‘Trollex’ he gasped as Synths hands went to his hips thumbs making slow circles, green eyes on purple as Synth claimed Branch’s lips, he was sandwiched between them, bodies pressing closer and closer the heat surrounding him, the careful shifting of the water sending peels of warmth over his body.

Panting, Branch felt the gentle probing at his lower waist, when Trollex touched something making him keen head falling back against the blue shoulder, his body twitching, ‘Lex, look at him’ Synths voice cut through the pleasure Branch was feeling, ‘Mutiara iraga, his reactions’ Branch gasped as Trollex’s finger entered his body, ‘ah’ he tried to push away at the same time as he wanted to feel the sensations running through his body.

‘Beautiful’ Branch felt the tips of Synths tongue tracing the edge of his heart, whimpering when the purple hand went to his throat, ‘do you know how rare pearls are here mutiara’ Branch heard Synth when pleasure started coursing through his body, Trollex’s finger becoming fingers, ‘Lex, Syn, ah please, please, I need’ the heat flooded his body again.

‘Pearls mutiara, are increasingly rare down here, they have to mined from our deepest trench class, the pearls you wear came from dark grown clams’ Branch felt his breath hitching as Trollex worked his fingers deeper, inside him, it was hard to focus.

Synth took over. ‘you say they are simple, but like you they are beautiful, rare and hard find’, hands roaming his body, each nerve was on fire, ‘Lex he’s ready’ Synth took Branch’s face between his hands, their lips joined once more, as Synth teasing his tongue coaxing to join his, the soft ministrations causing Branch to moan softly.

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Synth was in heaven, their mutiara with them, Trollex took his hand squeezing lightly, he pulled away seeing the dazed look in the blue eyes, looking to the lust filled green one.

It was the last step, he slid his hand around Branch’s neck, tracing the clasp of their mates chosen necklace, so much of what they had provided for Branch was gaudy on purpose, there were many options to choose from Synth knew Branch would never take the opulent robe or jewellery, but they had to test their mutiara, something too much and it would make him an unfit leader, and they wouldn’t be able to mate until Branch had been taught, but when they entered the room seeing their precious mutiara in the simplest robe, but reflecting them all, and finding the seed pearls in his hair, he looked beautiful, the back drop of Techno reef around him, and when he saw the crown of flowers, Synths mother was masquerading as the dresser, she had adopted Trollex who had lost his own the minute the pair had declared each other as their intended, had insisted on being the one to judge if their Branch would be suitable, the flowers on his head had sealed it for them.

Slipping his first two fingers under the delicate clasp he pulled feeling it give the, pearls dropping from Branch’s neck in a waterfall, the choked moan spilling from the pale troll was enough for him and Trollex to take the open neck between their teeth and bite down, their sweet Branch singing out as he collapsed against their Kingfish trembling.

‘He’s almost ours’ Trollex whispered against the noe purring pale techno troll, Synth nodding as he nuzzled the soft cheek, ‘he’s nearly ready for us my King’ Synth stroked Branch’s face, closed blue eyes fluttering at his touch, ‘manah miwah jiwa titiangé’ was whispered as Branch began arching his body, mewling for them ‘please hurts, need you, manah miwah jiwa titiangé, please’.

Synth and Trollex ran their hands across the overheating body, Branch twitching and gasping at their touch, their hands meeting at the front of their mates single fin, fingers linking briefly, before stoking the edging.

It was stunning, the pale blue shimmering, as flecks of navy, aqua and purple flashing through it randomly, ‘lay back Branch’ Synth guiding the softly panting troll from Trollex’s shoulders to lay amongst white fabrics.

‘please don’t, please don’t leave me’ the royal pair stiffening at the whimpering of their precious mutiara, green and purple locked briefly anger flashing as quickly as it was replaced by sadness and love, ‘never’ Synth watched Trollex stoking the delicate curve of Branch’s face as his pushed into the navy palm, like a guppy seeking it mother.

‘Mutiara, we will never leave you’ light kisses were being dropped across their Queens face, ‘you belong here with us, we will love you so long as you wish it, only if you tell us to leave will we free you, but’ Synth took over, ‘Branch, we will fight to bring you back to us’.

Synth looked to Trollex who was calming running his hand through the multi-coloured hair, another rare trait for a techno troll.

‘Branch’ Synth saw how Trollex brought Branch to lay against him, a rainbow banded arm trapping him against the navy troll, stroking at the soft belly, Synth loved Branch’s body, softly curved hips, with a lightly padded belly, the navy hand splayed across it, it was where their guppies would be protected, ‘do you know why we call you our Queen’ his own hands a vibrantly contrasting against the twitching fin, the current was heating around the trio, their mate was so close, ‘it’s because of your fin mutiara, a single fin, like this, it shows you can carry guppies, our beautiful guppies’ the soft gasp caught his ears, ‘Lex, Kingfish’ Synth gently scolding his senior mate.

‘my apologies my Swordfish, our Mutiara just makes such beautiful sounds, and knowing’ he watched the blue nuzzling their pale troll, ‘our mate was so willing to embrace our music’ nibbling Branch’s ear, ‘to be so open to us, muses gifting him such a talent, and so willing to bring him to us, to give him our shape and such a rare beauty, we shall be the envy of all the trolls, a capable mind’ a nibble to the pale neck, ‘a beautiful and loving heart’ fingers trailing the thumping pixels, ‘and a hidden strength’ the navy fingers tilting Branch’s head to capture the pliant lip, ‘and our Queen, has been granted the abilities which allow him to carry the heir to our kingdom’.

Synth saw the frown overtake Branch’s face as he pushed away a small finger stopping Trollex, ‘No, they will be our trollings first, the kingdom may need an heir, but they are our guppies first and foremost, they will not be expected to be perfect they will be trollings, they can learn, but they will never be forced into a box, even a gilded one’.

The passion, force and convection Branch spoke with has them stunned, before a smile over took them as they brought him between them, ‘yes’ they nuzzled the sides of his face lips pressing softly against the shoulders, they knew Branch’s voice would be perfect, perfect for them, the passion, the voice they needed, both knew the kingdom could become unhappy with their attitude sometimes but it was because they cared, their Mutiara, would be able to calm them, their bond already forming.

They felt it, the current changing, as the heat spilled from them, their hands roamed and circling, ‘Synthesiser’ purple snapped to green as his senior mate took his lip own lips, as Branch’s head felt against his shoulder, eyes half lidded watching them a small pleased smile on his face as the dominant pair traded kisses, Branch working Synths neck, nibbling and licking.

When a gasp came from pale troll in the middle.

---------

Branch was in a state of bliss, his mates surrounding him, he was enjoying the way Synth and Trollex were flicking his fins against his, when he felt it, his body shuddering between the two.

The kiss halting, ‘Mutiara’ his body burned at the word, his fin colours were flicking in time with his racing heart,‘Manah miwah jiwa titiangé’ Branch gasped as the navy and purple hands found his waist, then nothing.

His eyes fluttering open, his body twitching and sore, a pleasant kind of sore, twin thumps around him and he was held between a blue and purple body.

Hands gently caressing his body, causing him gasp, a warm laugh came from one of them, ‘welcome back mutiara, how are you feeling’, he snuggled into the warm hold.

‘Safe, am, am I yours now?’ The hands stopped moving, as Synth nuzzling his ear whispered, ‘you are our mate, but you belong to no one’ Branch blushed, ‘but yes our Mutiara, you are our and we are yours’, Trollex pressed a kiss onto Branch’s lips, ‘and we are family, mated and soon married, a triad, and we hope one day parents together’, a hand caressed his belly, his own reaching to touch it, resting it over the possible guppies he could be carrying, the third hand joining him, ‘soon but not yet, I want us to be together, to learn each other, not that I would be unhappy if I was carrying’ Branch quickly back tracked, ‘I just wish to learn first to know you and the reef first’.

Lips capturing his as he alternated between Trollex and Synth.

------------

Trollstopia was in full festive mode, as the chiefs and rulers of the tribes came together.

Laguna had turned the ambassadorship down preferring to help Branch and together with Synths mother, they helped the new troll find his place in his new title.

It was also unsurprising, Branch was carrying the royal trios first trolling soon after their mating, Trollex and Synth hardly left Branch alone, not that he complained.

Rubbing his growing belly, Branch laughed as Synth was showing their Princess Alana, the pretty coloured flowers and Trollex held their oldest son, Prince Remix, who was clinging to his father, the dominate pair had been good on their word, their guppies were not forced into boxes, but were given very basic lessons, which were slowly being increased, to 2 hours a day as they turned five, their twins asleep in the clam bed, which was rocking with the soft currents, Synth wouldn’t allow a stronger currents near the little ones.

‘Mutiara, were here’

‘Pa’

Branch took the green guppy into his arms, ‘Hi baby’ he ran a hand through the glowing hair, ‘are you ready Mutiara’

He smiled passing their Prince back, taking Synth and Trollex’s hand, ‘with you two, always.

Chapter Text

Branch was trembling, he wasn’t one to run away from his family but he just couldn’t take it anymore, he was huddled under a large leaf trying to block out the worst of the rain, after his fight with brothers he had been walking until he calmed down which had taken while, when the sky decided to match his mood, he was cold, exhausted and hungry, and worse he thought his pre heat symptoms, were starting early so his body was aching uncomfortably, muses he hoped it was the Bloom, he was already teased by most of the village for his fur colour, he never really recovered watching his Appa get eaten, but John Dory, Spruce and even Clay still called him Baby and it always bugged him, Floyd calling him Baby brother was affectionate and not often, wrapping his leaf vest and tail around him to try and stave of the worst of the chills as the damp air whipped around him, Branch stumbling over a rock flung his hands out releasing a sharp hiss of pain as his wrist clicked, just perfect, i should have stayed put.

He needed to make some heat and get somewhere out of the chill of the night air and something to eat, luckily the amount of nature and survival books he read had taught him enough even though his brothers more specifically, John Dory, Clay and Spruce, thought him too delicate, too young, just a baby.

It was always Floyd and Grandma who seemed to believe in him.

Shuddering a particularly strong breeze ran past him, looking around he realised he had gone deeper into the forest that he intended, and now had lost his bearings, ‘oh this is fantastic’ he mumbled, as he looked around for a familiar sight or marker.

He jumped as a loud growl came from the bushes, reaching slowly into his hair he pulled one of his sharpened sticks only to find it had been blunted, eyes widening in horror at the sight when the rustling got worse a small creature popping out had Branch backing away his tail twitching nervously, where ever this little thing was it’s Mother wasn’t far behind, backing away even more slowly, knowing sudden movements would start it yowling, he now knew where he was and he shouldn’t be here, his grandma always warned him this part of the forest was dangerous.

Branch if you can believe the irony, snapped a branch under his foot his fluffy tail tip puffing up, as his eyes widened when the small critter started bellowing.

The bushes started shaking this time more violently than before, Branch felt like a rabbit as the shadow loomed, his heart felt fit to burst, as the glowing yellow eyes pinned him in place, shaking Branch’s tail lashing inadvertently making the mother growl as he turned tail and ran.

Panting Branch stopped his heart hammering in his chest, as he felt stinging now not only in his wrist, but the various scratches he now had littering his arms and face, his body reacting as froze the growls he thought he lost were behind him, feeling the vibrations through his feet, breathing shallower he backed away, his foot hitting a loose patch of earth which collapsed under his weight, sending him tumbling into the quick flowing river below.

Swimming as best he could and cursing the fact that he had never actually learned properly and Johnny and Spruce had lied to Grandma and taken him for ice cream instead, praying for skills he didn’t have to kick in and hoping he would be a natural talent, when he felt something hit his chest knocking him under the water, when something else knocked against his head causing his vision to swim.

All he could remember from watching the children was he needed to get his head up the water and find something to cling to and use as a float, kicking his legs wincing as he felt the joints hurt from the run and too cold water, he pushed through the surface taking lungs full, feeling a rush of much needed oxygen, as the exhaustion tried to creep into his body, he wasn’t strong enough to swim against the current but he was able to catch a log and cling to it, he tried to climb on but it went under so clinging it was.

Branch didn’t know how long he was pulled along but he was getting colder and exhaustion was coming faster, he almost lost his grip on his log a few times, when he couldn’t hold on anymore his body too cold his grip finally failing him, he heard a faint splash.

‘I’ve got him’ something tugging at his waist,

‘Sugar, quick get me a blanket’ a warm blanket wrapped around him, something rubbing against his fur, trying to warm him, ‘he’s too cold’ he was lifted, a rush of air made him shiver and cough, he saw frightened but warm whiskey and green coloured eyes looking at him, mouth moving, 'it’s...., I’ve.... you’ vision tunnelling as he went limp.

‘DELTA’ was the last thing he heard.

--------

‘Easy suga, what’s your name baby’ A soft hand brushed against his cheek, a cool cloth against his head had him pushing into it, he was so hot, but so cold at the same time, he could feel pain in his chest, which resulted in rolling and coughing until he was sick, tears pricking his eyes as he whimpering curling around stomach, a warm hand rubbing his back.

He could feel himself trembling he wanted to go home, he wanted grandma he wanted ‘Floyd’, he wanted his brother.

‘Sleep Floyd your safe’, the motherly voice told him, he was falling under as a gentle hum reached his ears, ‘grandma’ he was asleep again.

Branch woke slowly to an unfamiliar room, words muffled by the closed door, light partially blocked by the gingham patterned curtains keeping the room dim, pushing up his body felt weak and his head pounded, like when he had the flu and a ear infection at the same time and Spruce and Floyd had taken care of him.

Shivering he pulled the soft blanket around him, he went to call out but started coughing instead, the door bursting open didn’t event startle him into stopping, a warm hand rubbed circles on his back until he finished, a straw was pressed to his lips as he drank tasting the sweetness of the cool drink, ‘I thought you might like something with a little flavour don’t tell our Dr friend’ a troll with voluminous red hair told him with a wink.

He gave a weak smile, ‘Now Floyd’ Branch blinked slowly swallowing the mouth full of tea he had, why was this troll calling him Floyd, ‘it’s nice to see you awake, I’m Delta Dawn sheriff here in Lonesome flats can you tell me how you got into the waters and is their someone we can contact, sweet thing like you shouldn’t be alone’ his heart seizing his Grandma was going to murder him, he was so far away from home.

Delta seeming to have taken his quietness for something else, ‘its okay Floyd, how old are you?’, Branch knew he should be honest and but the ‘twenty three’ spilled from him faster than his thoughts he heard the hum his tail twitched slightly as Delta looked him over,

‘Okay then well I have some clothes which should fit you, if you’re feeling well enough why don’t you join me in the kitchen and we’ll see about getting something warm in that belly of yours, you’ve been here for a week by the way, and Floyd’ Branch swallowed nervous as Delta looked him over again, ‘Welcome to Lonesome Flatts’.

Floyd was furious with his brothers, they had put Branch’s suggestion down again he looked at the notebook flicking through the songs again, these were amazing and the names were 100 times better than John Dory’s, in the waning popularity of BroZone Branch was the only one not affected by the argument, because Floyd had refused to let him be drawn into it, Branch took a little too much after him, but it wasn’t surprising as Branch had spent a significant portion of his infancy attached to Floyd and their Grandma.

Floyd looked at the small broken record and blank case, Branch had recorded several songs, some alone and some with Floyd, ‘Rosebud’ he looked at Grandma rubbing his eyes as, he was brought into a soft hold, lavender filling his nose.

‘He’ll be okay Floyd’ taking a few calming breaths of his Grandma’s washing powder, ‘I’m so mad at them, Branch was so proud of this Grandma, he worked so hard, and it was a sample track so they could listen and they laughed saying it was cute and to leave it to the grownups’, he was so sick of those words.

‘Maybe it’s time to think about what you both need, rather than your brothers, I heard the record and saw how proud you were, you two were wonderful’ he felt a soothing hand run though his hair, anger was being replaced by sadness as he looked at the broken disc.

‘Grandma I’m going to find him’ he rubbed his eyes, as his Grandma pet his hair, ‘Rosebud, I think you should let him cool off a little he’ll come back tonight, he wouldn’t miss my fluffberry pie and it’s pasta night you know how much he loves it’, Floyd smiled Branch really did love pasta and fluffberry pie, he was always first to the table when it was involved.

Floyd remembered the little trolling whose blue ears wiggled as he ate the cake his smile wide and face covered in the purple filling, he heard his Grandma laugh most likely picturing the same image as him.

The night got closer Floyd got worried, Branch was never late, but then Floyd had never seen Branch so angry before, ‘Grandma’ he looked at the clock, ‘it’s okay my little Rosebud, our peachfuzz will be here soon, I promise’ he saw the forced smile on Roisepuffs face, Branch had been gone longer than they both thought.

Floyd bit his lip taking the plates and cutlery to set the table, ‘BOYS DINNER NOW’, fumbling the last plate which was blue Floyd lost hold as it hit the floor cracking in two, staring at the broken plate Floyd felt the rage and resentment at his brothers, the worry, sadness and love for Branch and the general stress of the day bubble to the surface, he hadn’t cried like this since he was nine, and for the first time in a long time, Floyd just let go just let go.

‘Rosebud, Rosebud’ he was pulled in Rosiepuffs arms once more as he clung to her, ‘okay were going to go look for him dinner can wait, boys get your coats, your helping and No groaning and you will apologies to your brothers and listen to them’ Rosiepuffs eyes narrowed.

‘Now my little Rosebud, deep breath and let it out’ soft purple paws patted his cheeks, ‘okay’ nodding slowly and sniffling he was embarrassed here he was almost thirty and crying like his nine-year-old self, ‘let’s go’ grabbing one of the glow bug lanterns, clambering down the tree, they split up Clay and Spruce near the pond, John Dory went to their bunker, Floyd and Rosiepuff to the woods.

‘Grandma look’ Floyd plucked some familiar green felt leafs, ‘Branch wouldn’t have gone this far out he knows he’s not supposed to’ holding the lantern aloft Floyd saw the torn vest, hanging on a damaged and snapped branch, holding back a gasp and pulling it from the tree, Floyd started calling out only to have a hand clasped firmly over his mouth, wide eyed he looked to his grandmother who shook her pointing at large foot prints, which overlapped smaller ones, Branch.

Following carefully, sending their zipper bugs, to bring the others Floyd held vest close, it was one he had given Branch when he was too little to travel with Brozone, one to protect him and remind him his big brother loved him.

Please be okay...please let him be okay, Floyd closed his eyes, head tilted back, praying and wishing on the stars above, Branch, where ever you are please be safe.

Branch was amazed by Lonesome Flats he’d been here for a few weeks now, as part of the BroZone tour he’d been here but the memories were fuzzy and he was only a pup when they last came.

Absently scratching at the bandage on his wrist, yelping when a wooden spoon papped the back of his hand, not hard enough to hurt but enough to stop him, glaring with no heat at the laughing Sheriff.

‘I told you to stop scratching Floyd’ the amused shine in the turquoise eyes showing she found Branch’s grumbling funny, that was the other thing, every time she said Floyd he felt a small clench in his chest, guilt, Branch wanted to correct her, looking down at the mug of coffee Delta had placed in front of him with a plate of pancakes, ‘eat I’m showing you around later, can’t have you fainting of hunger, it would reflect poorly on my Sheriff title and as the resident mother hen’ she laughed joining him.

Taking a fork full of the food Branch hummed in delight, they were like his Grandma’s but different, these weren’t as sweet, and they were the perfect balance between fluffy and firm, ‘the’e are mazthing’ mouth full Branch realised jot only as he hungry but he was being rude, chewing carefully his apology on his lips, as he complemented the food again, causing the orange troll to smile and coo at him.

‘Glad you like them, I’m slightly famous for them’ Delta winking at him set Branch off laughing. The pair polished off their breakfast, ‘Delta that truly was amazing’ Branch praised again, ‘Well thank ya kindly Floyd’ and there it was the guilt, ‘Delta I’ Branch started, the turquoise eyes of the Sheriff settling on him, he eyes questioning like she knew already, Branch froze the words lodging in his throat, swallowing thickly, ‘thank you for helping me and for getting me out of the river’.

Branch looked down the guilt burning in his chest, when soft clops had him looking up and a warm orange hand rested on his shoulders, ‘suga, there nothing to thank me for, actually you need to thank Hickory, he was the one who found you and got you out, your with me cause my house is closet to the Doctors housing and while I’m Sheriff I can take more work from here, my deputy been bugging me to give him some more work anyway’ Branch saw Delta look at here clock.

‘Come on where gonna see Hickory, he should be working on the bar, he’s the one you want to thank’

Hickory felt his muscles aching pleasantly with each push of the plane, the warmth of the sun on his back, he had lost his shirt from the heat and the gold chain around his neck carrying a small gold ring bouncing back and forth rhythmically, while he was deciding his stopping point for the sun.

 Delta had been kind enough to let him start his new trade and build the new town bar in the flats when he showed his skills at repair work, it also helped that when he wasn’t hunting he was Hendlgrate’s best bar tender, looking over to the Sheriff's building he grinned, he was damn proud of the work he did.

‘Good Mornin Hickory’ stopping his work, Hickory turned squinting in the light, ‘Good Morning Miss Delta and’ his mouth went dry at the shorter figure next to her, the shorter was stunning, blue and silver flecked his fur, the most striking feature were his eyes, blue, bluer than the sky’s he had seen on his travels.

Snapping out of his thoughts when he heard a soft cough, Hickory grinned sheepishly, but admitted the light purple flush the blue pop troll wore across his nose and cheeks was rather becoming, ‘Apologies for staring’ he strode to the pair taking the smaller hand into his bowing and pressing a kiss to knuckles, hearing the small meep, the blush deepening, ‘pleasure to meet you Darlin’, I’m Hickory and what’s your name’.

‘Floyd, my names Floyd, I heard I have you to thank for getting me out if the water’ he picked up on the shift in tone, but the sweet siren voice from the Pop troll seemed familiar, Hickory had been on enough bounties to recognise them, he felt his smile softening, ‘you have nothing to thank me for, how are you feeling?’.

He could see he was still a little pale, and the slight flush but that could have been the heat, ‘why don’t you come inside, I was thinking about taking a break and would love to show it of a little’, he offered his arm to the grey blue troll, who stared at it and him, ‘I have cold drinks inside if it helps’ this got a laugh out of Delta who was grinning at them both, Hickory had forgotten she was with them.

‘Sorry Miss Delta, would you like to join us?’, he felt the soft arm slip into his elbow, turning to smile at the blushing face, ‘don’t get used to cowboy, you were being a gentleman, and my Grandma said its wrong to leave them hanging’ he heard the muttered comment, watching the lavender flush deepen to a violet.

He grinned silently thanking Floyds Großmutter and preening which made Delta smile knowingly, ‘well shall we’ he offered his other arm to his friend, as she laughed knowing she would normally glare at him for doing such a thing.

Hickory smiled watching the pop troll wandering around his soon to be business, it still had a lot of work before he could open, it was slow going Hickory knew anything worth it would be, ‘Hickory’ he flicked his eyes to the orange country troll, ‘can I ask you to watch over him, I’m going to send out some more zippers, now we have a little more information, see if anyone’s missing him, there more to the story than he’s saying, and he looks familiar I just can’t place it’.

Hickory nodded it was no hard ship to watch the silvery blue troll, he could see if he could get some more information out of him, ‘send it to pop forest, first they will be your best bet he’s a pop troll if not muted in colours, I’ll see if I can get anything out of him’.

He heard the hum, ‘Sure that’s the reason why’ Hickory’s eyes flicked to Delta with a mild glare, ‘you like him’ came the cheeky answer.

Hickory hardly knew him and as beautiful as the pop troll was Hickory wasn’t going to fall for a pretty face again, he held the ring around his neck feeling the bite of the stone at his palm as a reminder. He saw the flicker if sadness in Deltas eyes, as her hand rested on his shoulder, ‘you didn’t deserve what happened you know that right?’, he nodded, he truly did but it still hurt to know one of his family would do that and the women he thought he loved would laugh it off as of nothing happened.

‘Ill be back when I’ve finished’, he nodded offering a glass of cold cactus water, for Delta to take with her, turning he found the pop troll staring at his designs for the Saloon, his hands shuffling the paper carefully.

‘What do you think?’ he was curious and it seemed to be the conversation starter he needed, the way Floyd started gushing about his own home town inspiration, and recognising immediately it was the romance era inspired designs may have just shifted something, as the silvery colours he fetchingly sported brightened in front of him, bringing his colours to a stunning shade of teal, his hair lightening to a royal blue, poor thing must have had something bad happen if his colours fluxed like that, but he couldn’t help but admire the way the hand softly brushing over the papers, and the way he spoke, Hickory leaned over looking at the design again as his mystery guest asked all the right questions, his head tilted unknowingly which was cute, along with the slight twitch of the sloped ears, the smaller body was warm near him, his cheeks flushed lavender with happiness, the animation and the excitement in his voice drew Hickory closer his arm moving before he even thought it going around the slim waist resting on the softly curved belly, another indicator this blue troll was a pop troll.

Hickory wasn’t blind Floyd was a stunning creature, but he had been burned before, so what in Musen grünes Trollreich,(muses green trolldom) was he doing touching this sirene leaning into him, he felt like a moth drawn to the flame burning in front of him.

Branch was amazed by the building, taking in the bones, he could see the vision Hickory was working with, the graceful lines, the structure was a nod to the tradition architecture of Lonesome Flatts but Branch could see the yodeller influence in the slight structure changes, bur still keeping the integrity of the design, it was so subtle he almost didn’t see it, it was so perfectly blended.

Branch always loved touring the buildings and towns with Grandma and Floyd, it was what inspired him to create blueprints of his own buildings, for the forest, it had started when he was a cub and wasn’t aloud to be in the band, Grandma always bought him a new picture book and he was fascinated and drawn back to the traditional wood builds in the snow, they looked magical to him, he loved winter, snow covered ground, everything sleeping, ice glittering, but the forests winters were never quiet as pretty as the one he saw as a pup, it always stayed with him and the small ornament he had for trollmas was still his favourite, he had promised himself he would go back one day soon to see the snow again.

He heard the whispered conversation when he was looking at the sketch Hickory had done if the building again, ‘what do you think?’ Branch looked to the whiskey and green eyes of the lime toned troll, Branch couldn’t help the words which came spilling out, ‘it’s beautiful, I love the Hendlgrate inspiration here and here’ his finger tip trailing the lines lightly as if afraid to smudge them, ‘will this be hand carved or pressed into the wood, who am kidding this is a hand carved piece of work, there isn’t a press detailed enough which could match the intricacies of the pattern, and this your counter tops are they what your working on, you use such older methods, could you teach me, building and architecture are hobbies of mine and I’ve never been able to find some who could teach me everything I learnt was from books and trial and error’ he was giddy and hadn’t realised he was talking so much, ‘are you doing a fusion of Lonesome Flatt’s original and Hendlgrate’s more romantic era works, it would look stunning together’.

Branch stopped realising he was babbling, looking up he saw the wide eyes and small frown, ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to rattle on like that my’ he swallowed, ‘well, trolls hated when I went off like that, it’s none of my business, the building will be amazing’, ducking his head Branch looked at the plans once again.

‘You said it was the romantic era’ his head snapped up, as he took the soft grin from the green troll, wetting his lips, Branch nodded, ‘why not the post String war?’ The smooth voice drew closer warmth hovering over his back, pointing out the lines and the arch’s, ‘these are too soft for the harsher line of post String war, see here and here’ a green hand joined his pressing the body behind him closer, looking up and cursing his slightly shorter stature and the same time as feeling a strange fluttery sensation in his stomach, ‘I don’t recognise this symbol though’.

Branch became very aware of each breath he took, as he examined the fine face next to him the soft slope of the nose, the fine laughter lines spoke of a happy person, ‘this symbol right here’ his eyes flicked to the drawing and back quickly, ‘yea’ was his breathy reply as a larger, warmer hand settled across his belly, causing his breath to hitch and the fluttering feeling to intensify, ‘it’s mine’.

Branch felt like his knees could collapse under him, when the hand pressed against him slightly, making him step back into the hold his colliding softly against Hickory’s bare chest, wetting his lips, his eyes flicked back to Hickory’s who’s own were fixed on him, they were hypnotic, ‘yours’ a low hum, ‘your mate must, must be happy’ Branch didn’t know why he was acting like this, ‘oh, whys that’ the soft fan of warm breath across his face made Branch blush.

‘mmm, it’s beautifully done’ Branch whispered.

‘yeah’ was Hickory getting closer, Branch could feel his heart pounding heavily in his chest, ‘I don’t have a mate’.

‘No mate’ Branch felt the soft brush against his nose his breath hitched, ‘No mate darlin’, Branch didn’t understand why those words made his heart want to burst, he could feel the warmth of Hickory face near his, his eyes feeling heavy wanting to give into the unusual feeling coursing through him, he had never felt like this before, trolls in the village normally, only spoke to him to ask about his brothers more specifically Bruce and if his marriage was still working with his sister-in-law, and they never wanted to listen to his hobbies and only asked him to sing, so why did this troll who he met today, have such a sway over his thoughts and actions.

‘Hickory, where are you?’ he jerked back out of the warm and supportive hold as Hickory backed away from him, Deltas familiar steps echoing around him.

Branch felt his heart hammering in his chest as he leaned against the unfinished counter as Hickory left him, his belly and waist burning where Hickory’s hand and arm had been resting.

Floyd once told him, when you found someone special it could make you feel all sorts of things, he really wasn’t sure about how he felt, he had been used too many time before to get close to BroZone be it friends or attempted romantic partners, so he wasn’t willing to open his heart again, and stayed close to his Floyd and Grandma.

But these feelings scared him, excited him and made him feel guilty all at once, he really needed to go back home, before he hurt anyone else, before he did something stupid.

‘Hickory where are you?’ Delta’s voice rang out, stopping him.

Musen oben what was this troll doing to him, they had separated Hickory moving towards Delta, the blue troll he noticed was leaning against the unfinished counter top, hand on his chest, his breathing like he had run a marathon, Hickorys feeling the same.

‘Hickory’ Delta had come up to him, ‘what in Demeter happened?’ a hand pressed against his forehead, shifting his hat slightly, ‘Delta stop your fussin’ I’m fine’, he wafted his hands pulling away from the mother hen troll.

He felt the studying gaze run over him, ‘sure, okay I’ll believe you, for now’ her eye brow raised as she took him in once more time, rolling his eyes, ‘Delta Dawn, I’m fine, just got... a little hot in here, that’s all’ it was his story and Hickory was sticking with it.

‘Did you find anything out?’ he nodded he found out a lot, especially about how the little pop troll felt against him, ‘he’s definitely from Pop forest or near it, seems like he travels or has travelled a little, keen eye for detail and something defiantly happened to keep him muted, he started talking about the blueprints for the bar and he lit up literally, avid reader and self taught a lot if things, but seems like he’s been told off a bit for expressing himself’.

Hickory saw the worried look enter Deltas eyes, as they snapped to the pop troll.

‘Poor thing, family?’

‘His Grandmother speaks of her fondly, possible he could have siblings, I would need a little more time to get him to open up, Delta I shut down but he curls himself to make himself smaller’ he saw it the spark when Branch cut himself off, the sparkle leave his eyes only for Hickory to want it to come back which was he asked about the architecture again and then he fucked up, the spark came back and he was drawn into those eyes, open and expressive.

‘I could keep him at mine, but have a lot to catch up on, Pete’s been growling more than normal and Floyd would be home all alone’ Delta spoke her hand resting on her chin, when a wicked gleam came across her turquoise eyes, ‘but he seems to have made a bond with you, and you him, maybe you could take him in, until we hear back from the tribes’ her hand patting his shoulder as she laughed again his glare.

The zipper bug went flying into a peach pod, searching for the owners who were fast asleep, a magenta mop of hair on the over stuffed sofa, slept facing the door in hopes his missing baby brother would walk back through and back into his arms, the newly repaired leaf vest wrapped around him, streaks of black liner graced his face, as he tried to hide under a matching pink pillow and blanket,

When the bug buzzed loudly in his ear startling him awake, with a yelp he landed on the floor, as all the lights flicked on in the pod, the bug landed on the floored trolls knees resting as the letter it had latched to it’s body floated to the pyjama clad lap.

‘Rosebud, what happened?’

‘You did not have to wake the forest you know’

‘Seriously, Floyd some of us have work in the morning’.

‘Yeah and we have rehearsals’

Floyd growled at the last comment, ‘you can’t seriously be thinking about the stupid band when Our Baby Brother is missing’ pushing himself from the floor getting ready to launch himself at the teal haired idiot when arms wrapped around his waist and the soft lavender scent of Grandma Rosiepuffs washing powder filled his nose, he stopped letting her rub his arms as she pressed the letter into his hands.

‘what does the letter say Rosebud, and whose it from’

Looking at the Zipper which had now taken resident on the mushroom lamp in the corner, he recognised the shape it was a Lonesome Flatts bug.

‘Probably fan mail either that or Floyds got a boyfriend he’s not telling use about’ this got a chuckle from the brothers and a growl from Floyd, as he opened the letter, catching the date it was almost three weeks old, shaking he read, blue grey, ill, injuries, found in the water, can’t swim, Floyd felt his eyebrows get higher at that all of the brothers could swim, but then he remembered, when Branch was fifteenth when they went to the pond because of the heat, Branch eyed the water wanting to get in he could see, but when John pushed him in he foundered which didn’t make sense because he’d been taught how to swim, or he should have, reading quicker.

His hands shaking, when he noticed on thing, Branch was being called Floyd, but it wouldn’t make sense unless Branch was scared, when he noticed one line, original letter was sent to the leaders who said that they weren’t missing a troll, Floyd shook, King Peppy knew Branch was missing and said no, his magenta tipped tail lashing back and forth in agitation.

 ‘Rosebud?’

Floyd looked to his Grandma offering the letter, and started pacing, as she read, he started muttering, ‘he’s okay, he’s okay, thank Apollo above he’s okay’

‘Well there’s nothing for it, I'll deal with Peppy later for now, Floyd pack a bag and we’ll charter the tour bus it will be faster, we’re going to get Branch back’ Floyd heard the lilt of worry in her voice, her own tail sweeping the floor in a annoyance, Floyd knew it wasnt at Branch but at the idea that Peppy had said no one was missing, ‘Rosebud, your coming with me since he’s calling himself Floyd something must have happened when he was sick’.

‘Grandma you can’t take the tour bug, it’s only for official BroZone tours’ Floyd whipped around, his teeth bared, his tail fluffing up and lashing outwards, they hadn’t been on tour in years he was about to snap, when a hand stopped him, he was usually so calm but the tour bus was the best bet or they would have to wait months for authorisation to charter a catering bug bus to go out that far, his head snapped to Grandma at her words.

‘I’m sorry, did I say if it pleases your highness, Jonathan Dorian, your baby brother who, if I recall, I had you and Spruce’ he watched pleased as Grandma’s eyes darted to their purple haired brother daring him to argue with his formal name, ‘take to swimming lessons, was left clinging to a log unable to swim in even the shallowest water, has been seriously ill and is now most likely recovered or recovering, has been found alive and well, now your band may be important but nothing, nothing is more important than family, and if you think some silly concert or recording session is, well I have done a poor job raising you and that hurts me’.

Floyd pushed his way into Grandma’s arms as she pet his hair he could feel the small shakes in her body, his tail automatically linking with hers reminders of his childhood and when Baby Branch would hold on to his so he didn’t get lost and Floyd and Grandma made a game and Floyd held on to hers so Branch wouldn’t feel embarrassed.

‘Gramdma, that’s not fair, I know how important family is’ Floyd didn’t care right now.

‘Do you, because if I remember you were the one who said he’s just being stubborn and will turn up soon’ Floyd glared at them his oldest brother, before rounding on the snickering pair who shut up in the midst of their usually calm younger brother, who was stabbing a finger in their direction, they looked to their Grandmother who just watched on with pride at her second youngest like she had been waiting for this and now nit happened she wasn’t going to stop him.

Floyd didn’t even register, ‘Your all guilty of treating him like he’s a baby and doesn’t have a voice in this family, he worked so hard wanting to please you and contribute to the group, I found him working so hard on the lyrics which showcased each of us individually so we would all have a chance to lead a song and together and the music which would back it was amazing, and you laughed him off told him to leave it to the grownups, like he didn’t matter you didn’t even listen to them, you just laughed you all did, you do it every time, when he’s passionate about something you stop him or tell him it’s cute and treat him like he’s a, a, a, only there to make us look good’ he swung his arms around before turning back.

‘because we all know, Branch has the best voice out of all of us’ he growled as the John went to speak, ‘don’t you know it’s true oh fearless leader, you know, I was looking at some of his designs the other and found choreography, set designs, and so much more, our little brother is a genius, but what I found which was worse was how the village had been treating him, using him to get close to us, so many of these so called fans have hurt our brother because they see him as wrong because of his colour and what made it worse is he never told us, he never told me’ Floyd felt his voice cracking, as tears started burning his eyes.

He spun back into his Grandma’s hold, her arms wrapped around him immediately trying to sooth him as he tried to get his breathing under control, ‘he didn’t tell me Grandma, I wouldn’t have let them hurt him, oh Apollo, that’s why, he probably thinks if he tells someone his real name they make the connection, oh Apollo, Grandma we need to go get him, he needs to know we love him no matter what, and these trolls were wrong’.

Floyd ran to his hardly used room throwing everything into a bag, running to Branch’s room and grabbing some Branch’s clothing he didn’t know how long they’d be staying or how long it would take to get to the flatts, he vaguely recalled it taking a long time the last time they went.

‘GRANDMA COME ON’ Floyd bolted out of the room staring at his brothers who all were looking down as Rosiepuff stood hand out wiggling her fingers, and John dropped a different set of keys into her hand, Rhonda, the family bug, but John had been looking after her as he’d supposedly been looking down the river for Branch.

‘Rosebud, your brothers will be joining us, but we will be the one to see our peachfuzz, I don’t want him any ore upset than he will be’ Floyd nodded glaring at the trio, ‘we’ll set off first thing in the morning, Bruce needs to speak with my grand daughter, and explain what’s happening’ her watched the soft green eyes harden slightly, ‘I know you want to set off immediately, but we do need to have some preparation’.

Floyd lit up pulling a beaten green and brown leather book from his hair a large blue B on the front, ‘curtesy of Branch’ he presented with a flourish.

Rosiepuff took the book, and thumbed slowly through the pages seeing plans and lists and even the odd set of lyrics, this book was one Branch normally kept close to himself, each page, drawing, list, a snippet of music showed her Grandpup in a new light, and it broke her heart, she knew her peach fuzz was hard on himself after the loss of her own mate Clover, Branch was very close to him and had been there when he snatched up, the pair were thick as thieves, sharing a love of building and engineering and Floyd and he encouraged it, her little puppy was heartbroken, his colours never really coming back to full saturation but he was still a beautiful soul.

‘Grandma’ she looked into the dusty pink eyes of her second youngest grandpup, so much was behind them, Floyd was also close to Clover as they shared the same sensitive souls, so she knew Floyd was holding back, and he needed to get it out safely, her husband had let it bottle up so significantly, on word from the idiot king had him snapping and punching the fool, he was so rarely violent that it had shocked the entire tree, and he was so apologetic to her and their grandpups, for scaring and worrying them, that was when Branch was still and egg.

She found the bookmark she helped him make when he was a little thing, he was so proud, the snowflakes and trees, the little caterpillar, she felt a sad smile tug at the little clover which wasn’t on the original design, but added by a skilled pair of hands much later.

‘Travel to Lonesome Flatts, (with Floyd), Travel to Hendlgrate (I want to see the snow again)’ each was done in crayon in a child’s messy scrawl, the brackets added later, she smiled at the thing her tiny grand pup had put on, snow boots and trousers, his favourite fluffy coat, and Croco underlined many times, and Grandma and Floyd underneath, the crayon gave way to the elegant handwriting Branch had developed later with his messy scrawl when he was planning, practical things, and small doodles, graced the pages and peeling stickers.

‘well at least we know roughly what each of us will need’ she smiled at Floyds laugh, ‘Johnny go and make sure we have all of these in Rhonda, and don’t you even think about arguing with me right now, young man your not so old I can’t whoop that butt of your with a spoon’ she glared her plum pie and Fuzzling, ‘and don’t think you two are off scott free, here’ she made a quick list and gave it to the trio of jokers, ‘I suggest you get started’

‘Yes Grandma’ the trio coursed, going to change,

‘oh and boys, I love you all’ this got her a smile, as they moved to carry on with a little more pep in their step, ‘and that my Rosebud is how you deal with stubborn, hard-headed trolling’s, now I will make us a nice cup of tea and you will drink it’ she cupped the flocked cheek of her sweet flower, who she quickly guided to the sofa once more.

Tea settled in front of her and a warm cup in Floyds hands had her rose dosing on the spot, such emotional responses meant a quick come down, she learned that from her husband and from looking after Floyd for so long she new his ticks and Branch has taken some of them.

Catching the cup quickly before it spilled over him and herself, Rosie guided the magenta haired troll down onto his side as he fell back to sleep, flicking the blanket over him and making sure he was tucked up comfortable, she stroked her hand through the soft hair, minding the sensitive pale roots.

The two pups had shifted colours so young that it had affected them both, but Rosiepuff though it rather suited them and wouldn’t change a thing about them, other than wishing both of them would open up when they were feeling unhappy or angry. Floyd and Branch were both bottlers and when they exploded it was quick and impacting, only this time it had cost them their youngest.

‘We’ll get him back Rosebud’ she whispered as Floyd sighed relaxing fully under her touch, looking out the window, she sent a small prayer to Apollo for her peachfuzz, ‘keep him safe and let him be happy’.

They say off the next day it would be two months as she stopped John from using the hustle button, she had a feeling something was going to happen when they arrived, and she was never wrong, there was one time, she wasn’t expecting what happened, but others never wrong.

Laying in his bath after a long day’s work Branch allowed himself to luxuriate in the warm scented water, soaking in the heat and breathing in the lavender and camomile soak he had made and treated himself to, he had been taking the skills he learned and Floyd and his Grandma had taught him about clothes crafting and soap creations, and his own learned skills about building and architecture, which Hickory called adequate, he had huffed at that but he couldn’t prove anything, his things had been damaged or lost in the journey down the river, he had been upset about the loss of his leaf vest.

Shuffling slightly bringing his body deeper into the warm water, letting it settle the small amount of pain from the work he had done today, Hickory had been working him hard, and it had paid off, the Bar was almost finished, all that was left was the painting and to stock it and it would be ready for it grand opening in three weeks.

Sighing happily Branch looked out of the window, the inky blackness was dotted with glowing stars and the light from the bar was still shining, pushing up his let the water rush down his fur, grabbing his towel he dabbed off and drying his body, wrapping his hair, when he heard a knock at his door.

Wrapping his newly crafted robe around him, wiggling happy as he hugged himself the fabric soft against his fur, he was so happy, he loved being here, he had his own room, own home.

‘Floyd?’, Hickory was at his door, he grabbed a pair of clean sleep shorts, his grandma always told him to be careful, especially now since his bloom could happen at any time between now and his birthday.

‘ONE SECOND’ he tide the robe around himself once more, his tail sweeping the floor as he took in his room, he had tidied up earlier, and he shook himself, with a last look over his shoulder he opened the door, only to be met with a large bunch if yellow and pink flowers.

‘Hi Darlin’ he heard the soft drawl, behind them as they lowered, revealing warm hazel eyes the green showing just a bit more from the green leafs in the group, smiling Branch took bouquet, breathing in the soft scents, ‘you know bribery doesn’t work on me, but these are beautiful, come in I'll be right back’.

‘How bout I put those in water for you?’ Branch hummed pressing a soft kiss to Hickory’s cheek with a quiet thanks, he ran to his bathroom grabbing a set of clothes.

Walk back out he saw Hickory standing by his window, standing at his bathroom door frame, Branch admired the strong muscles showing with each shift of his arms under the brown vest, biting his lip he watched as Hickory looked over the frames he had on his counter, the way he moved had been in Branch’s dreams more than once.

He jumped as arms went around his waist, ‘what are you thinking about so hard?’ a soft peak to his lips, had Branch humming, resting his head on the sturdy shoulder, ‘nothing, everything, how everything had changed since being here’ he felt his heart clench slightly, as a kiss was pressed to his head, ‘I am glad to have met you Floyd’ Branch pushed harder into the shoulder.

Pulling away he traced the soft features Hickory had told him, about why he came here, ‘Hickory, what if, what if I hid something’ he started when the lime troll looked at him, ‘what if it would change how you saw me?’

A hand took his, own pressing lips, ‘that doesn’t matter, because you’re not hiding anything from me, are you?’ the weariness entered the Hickory’s voice, Branch looked at him, his heart hurting, ‘No, no I’m not’ Branch rested his head against the shoulder again, blinking back the sadness in his body.

‘I shouldn’t be alone with you in here, so I actually came to ask if you’d come to the bonfire and cook out tonight’ Branch saw the slight flush in Hickory’s cheek as the hat was lowered slightly over his eyes, smiling Branch nudged it back up, ‘I’ve never been to one, what do I need to do’ he grinned.

Hickory was staring at him when a large grin over took his face with a laugh, Branch was lifted and spun around his tail latching to Hickory’s arm on instinctively from the small fear of falling, before being placed gently back on his feet, ‘you don’t need to bring anything but yourself and a appetite, and maybe you would consider this a first step to courting’ the soft country lilt gave way to the nervous hinterland accent.

Branch felt his heart stutter at the words, before nodding quickly, his tail wagging almost a blur at how happy he was, he’d been so carful to make sure the town didn’t think Hickory was a bad troll like his former home, and asked Delta if she would be able to come on some of their more quieter lunch or hang outs by troll standers or Pop ones he was still underage even at twenty, and would remain so until he Bloomed, the entire town including Hickory thought he was twenty three.

Hickory knew he hadn’t and respected Branch's choice to live separately after he explained and had kindly declined the offered room in Hickory’s own apartment, they kept it very respectful, the windows and doors were always open when they were working together on the Saloon, even Pete when he learned Branch hadn’t bloomed took it serious and dropped in on them working more than once, and when Branch and he took such together when they weren’t working, they had them out in the open or with Delta.

Hickory, Branch thought, was a perfect gentletroll and the troll he was engaged to previously was a fool for letting him go, he felt something cool slip on his wrist, ‘Floyd’ pain, ‘would you allow me to court you properly?’.

Branch felt tear’s well up, they were filled with both sadness and happiness, he wanted to hear those words with his real name attached, but when he looked at Hickory to tell him, the words caught in his mouth so he settled for nodding and hugging the yodeller troll.

Branch was stood on the edge of the bonfire watching everyone, taking in the genuine laughter and excitement, watching the trolling he was teaching in a game or dance he wasn’t sure, but they were having fun, waving at them when they say him, the smell of the food making his stomach growl regards of the fact he’d eaten something before his bath.

Looking to the dance square at the yehaw, echoing across the din from Hickory who had been stolen by the firery red-headed Sheriff, followed by laughing and clapping as they span around matching each other in a clearly familiar partnered dance.

‘Well we’ll what a pretty baby like you doing all alone’ Branch flinched as a unfamiliar purple troll put his arm around his waist, pushing it off or trying to he ignored the strangers words, when he was pulled closer, head tilting away, nose wrinkling at the pheromones the troll was putting out, on a troll who had Bloomed it may have worked, but Branch hadn’t and quite frankly, Branch didn’t think he would react in or out of heat.

‘Please let me go’ he pushed against the troll whose arm was trying to press their hips together, ‘I’m not interested and I have a courted’ Branch pushed again hand moving lower to keep him away.

‘I think your bodies saying something else’ lips latched to his neck as the arms banded and trapped him tightly against him ‘NO LET M-mpft’ the purple troll forced his tongue into his mouth, freezing unsure and scared, when the arms were pulled away and he was dragged into strong hold.

Branch pressed close into the warm hold, shaking, ‘it’s okay suga, you’re okay’, hand rubbed his arms as he was guided away, a small cup of something was pressed into his hands and he was slowly drinking it, ‘Floyd how you feelin’ did he do anything else’ a hand pressed against his neck causing him to hiss, and snap back to the troll in front of him, ‘Delta?’ a hand stroked his hand, resting on his forehead, ‘yea, are you hurt anywhere else?’.

Branch shook his head and was pulled into a firm but comforting hug, ‘okay, I’ll send Hickory over, need to make sure he doesn’t kill the troll before we can try him’

‘No need’ Branch looked past Delta, hearing the angry hinterland accent, crying out as he flung himself into Hickory’s arms, ‘Meine Liebe, Floyd geht es dir gut?’ (my love, Floyd are you okay?) Branch could feel himself trembling in Hickory’s hold as his head was tilted up, he went to speak, only to let out strangled sob, clinging to the brown vest.

Feeling fingers brush his neck Branch hissed, the low growl hand him whimpering into Hickory’s hold.

Hickory was concerned, he recognised the troll who had joined their little party, and when he was here no good came from him being here.

He was about to motion to Delta, and alert her Sheriff Delta Dawn would be needed, when the bastard put an arm around Floyd, who started to push him off, only for Hickory to see the purple troll rubbing his hips against Floyds.

Floyds hand pushing down at the hips, his face a mask of distress, when the purple did something the pair weren’t expecting ‘NO LET M-mpft’ Floyds voice echoed in Hickory’s ears as he saw red, charging over with Delta by he his side he expertly pulled Branch away and it to her arms before rounding on the bounty hunter who was sprawled out on the floor moaning and holding his jaw.

He knew Delta would move Branch away as Pete came to his side after a short while, Hickory already had shown the smooth jazz troll his skills were still present and not rusty, Pete had him tied up and sent him to Floyd and Delta with a quick gesture.

Seeing the thorn shirt Floyd was wearing and the large purple bruise on his neck had Hickory wishing he’d done more damage or at least taken some teeth as souvenirs.

Holding Floyd close Hickory resting his head on the blue violet hair, inhaling the scent that was uniquely Floyd and the soft hint of baby powder which let him know Floyd truly hadn’t Bloomed, he would miss it the scent when it left, it suited his lebes, but he knew Floyd would be happy and hopefully his heart warmed, they would be well into the final stages of their courtship.

‘Well’ the pair shifted Floyd sagging into his hold as the tremors and adrenaline left him, ‘that rat will be tried for assault seems it not the first time he’s tried this, only time he’s had his ass handed to him, let’s get you two to mine, don’t think I didn’t spot the new jewellery you’re wearin’ suga’

Hickory smiled stroking the bracelet he had placed around Floyd’s wrist, silver flashed beautifully around his wrist, the small white flowers, mixed in the windows, it was his Opa Glock’s, it was gifted to him with promise, that he would give it to someone he saw the future he wanted with, it possibly explained why he never gave it to her, it was perfect on Floyd's wrist.

‘Lebes’ his lifted his little love into his arms as Floyd fell asleep curling into him.

‘Aww well ain’t that adorable, come on’ Delta cooed, before looked at him eye brow raised, ‘you know I can’t leave you both alone’ Hickory nodded his eyes on the now slumbering troll in his arms.

Branch had been courted for three weeks now, before he thought things were different when he told Hickory about not having Bloomed, now, things had been kicked up a notch, even with the doors and windows open on the bar they had someone from the town sitting at one of them, the surprise visits to each others apartments were stopped, Holly Darlin’ was a surprisingly good landlady, and a hard nut to crack which had Delta laughing at Hickory frequently, who came out hair ruffled and clothes mussed.

Holly was a good friend, Branch smiled when he heard tapping at his window, pushing them open, he looked down to see Hickory with another bunch of flowers and sheepish expression, ‘Darlin’ I love you and all, and I will do anything, but I’ve been mussed and hair tied too many times’ Branch smiled leaning against the window sill, glancing at the drain pipe and back to him.

‘really, okay’ Branch watched as the yodeller climbed the pipe grumbling his way up, making Branch smile, he couldn’t help it, ‘hello there cowboy, you come to see little old me’ this earned him a snort as he batted his eyelashes and fan himself, simpering unconvincingly.

‘Darlin, for you’ the flowers were a mixed of bright wild flowers, something different, stroking a finger down the white petals, he hummed at the soft texture, ‘I looks like snow and clouds and it smells sweet’.

‘Edelweiss, it’s for love and courage’ Branch looked at Hickory, ‘I love you Darlin’ and you who started again and have the courage to stand strong’ Branch felt his heart clench ‘courage’ he whispered a hand cradled his cheek, ‘and love don’t forget that’ a caste kiss was pressed against his lips, and a gentle nuzzle which he returned.

‘Hickory’ Branch whispered he needed to say something, ‘I...I love you too’ he settled with, feeling the guilt flooding through him in a cold wave.

‘HICKORY HIMMELGRUND’ they both froze and grinned as Hickory jumped off and bolted, leaving Branch holding the flower laughing as the dirt trail behind his love and his friend.

Floyd sat pouting next to Grandma Rosie as she knitted, wool wrapped around his hands to keep him from trying to kill his brothers again, two months in the bus because Grandma refused to use the hustle button.

‘Clayton Timber don’t even think about it’ Floyd looked up as Grandma didn’t even stop in her movements, when Clay came from behind the sofa, grumbling about the unfairness.

‘we’re here’

Rhonda started slowing the soft warble echoing through the cabin, as she came to a complete stop, ‘come here Floyd let me get this off before you vibrate off the chair.’

He couldn’t help it, he needed to see his puppy with his own eyes. Free Floyd bounced up only to be pulled back by his tail, ears tilting and tail puffing up, ‘ow Grandma’

‘We cant go storming in Rosebud’ this got snickers from the room, ‘boys, behave, Floyd, Branch had been here for while we can’t just go running in’

‘Grandma thats my puppy out there, using my name, for what ever reason, I don’t care, he could be scared or alone, I need to see him’ a hand cupped his face, ‘I know Rosebud, but what if he’s not, you don’t know what he's been doing while he’s here’ Grandma reasoned,

Floyd felt his tail drooping, he nodded, he knew Grandma was right, ‘now settle down, first we need to speak to the Sheriff’ Floyd pulled the letter he had been clinging to it as proof his puppy was alive, ‘Delta Dawn’ the name seemed familiar to him, but it could have been anyone.

‘let’s go, maybe it should just be me and you Grandma, Branch might not react well after everything that got him here’.

Standing in front of the sheriff/mayor’s office Rosiepuff sighed, her little grandpup was somewhere in this town, calling himself Floyd, she had a feeling in her hair, something was going to happen, good or bad she was unsure, but Branch her little pup she needed to see him safe.

She linked her tail with her little Rosebud, who was clinging to the letter and vibrating where he stood, taking his hand, she squeezed lightly, ‘it will be okay, he’ll be okay right Grandma, he’s going to be okay’ her grandson was mumbling.

Her ear flicking picking up soft, but purposeful clops, ‘Can I help you?’

The pair turned to face, lovely orange centaur troll, her hair teased and curled and fixed in place.

‘You sent this letter, about my grandpup’ Floyd presented it, hand shaking.

Delta looked at the picture she was handed, ‘so let me get this straight’ he looked at the pair, ‘your Floyd and my Floyd the one whose here, is actually your little brother Branch’ sighing Delta, looked at the pair, ‘he’s working in the bar right now, why don’t you follow me’.

Escorting the pair to the newly built Symbol Saloon, running a hand through her hair, this was going to cause a problem, poor kid, ‘just wait here I want to talk to him first’ she needed to get the real reason Branch had lied to her, pushing the doors open calling out as a laughing Hickory fell through the back door, with his arms around the smiling blue troll.

This was going to cause too much hurt she saw the hearts in both their eyes, the pair in the complete honeymoon phase basking in the love they shared, Delta truly didn’t want to do this, she could see the genuine love Branch had for Hickory, and Delta could see how much love Hickory had for Branch it was going to crush him, especially after the reason Hickory came to be here.

‘Morin’ Miss Delta how are you this beautiful mornin’ Hickory smiled kissing Branch, who looked back at him full of love, she felt her heart ache at what she was about to do, Floy, no Branch in his arms looking at him with pure happiness, she knew the kid was unhappy an idiot could have seenit and he had tried to tell her, she knew that, she couldn’t imagine what held him back, Delta knew she would have been unhappy about being lied to, but mostly about his age, she was the one who called him Floyd thinking he was answering her question when he was sick, and since being here he had flourished, the once muted tones gave way to a brilliant set of colours, this little troll had become part of her community, helping around the Flatts with repairs, crafting, even trading his skills for things he needed, but never taking more than he needed, and the trolling’s loved him, he had fallen into teaching them, which was a huge help, and between him and Hickory the new bar and school house was up and running the bar being opened in a week, and the smile oh the smile on his face was beautiful and he lit up like a like a little firefly when he saw Hickory and Hickory in return.

Delta Dawn had no idea when Hickory pulled the troll from the river, she had found a new friend, and Hickory found someone to challenge him, she smiled slightly there courtship had been a wild one, but she saw a side to Hickory she hadn’t met before, happy, truly happy, not the quiet broody happy he’d been wearing for the six months before Branch got her, but genuine happiness, but this was going to hurt not only her, but all three of them.

 ‘Good morning, Hickory, can I talk to’ she watched the blue head tilt curiously, she looked at Branch, she couldn’t even say Floyd anymore, ‘Branch’ The look of quiet fear passed quickly over his face before disappearing under a polite mask of confusion, ‘there’s some trolls here to see you’.

Delta watched the colour drain from the young trolls face as panic flooded the blue eyes, ‘Miss Delta’ the weak voice from the troll, his eyes darting between Hickory and herself, ‘I don’t know’ he clung to Hickory’s arm scared of loosing him no doubt in her mind, she cut him off, there was no point them beating the bush, ‘Sugar I think you do’

‘Peachfuzz’

‘Branch’

Delta watched as the blue eyes widen staring at the two trolls behind her, body curling inward, whimpering he croaked out ‘Grandma, Flo’ the blue eyes darting between the pair of pop trolls and herself, Delta watching carful as Hickory’s arms slowly pulling away, confusion and concern settling into the lime face as a frown pulled at the county yodelling troll.

‘Darlin’ Hickory was looking between the group and Branch confused, Delta saw the lime troll back away leaving Branch trembling reaching out to him, the usually strong voice was filled with something Delta was familiar with.

‘Hickory, I, Delta, I’m’ the panicked trolls shoulders slumping, the pink haired troll, Floyd, rushed forward taking the younger, trembling troll into his arms, his own pink tipped tail linking with Branch’s automatically, the pair curling together at the ends, instinctively, Delta had noticed the younger troll would still reach out and realise no one was their, when he was nervous or scared, and it seemed it was the real Floyd he was looking for, most likely because the pink haired troll was used to being with him and would have kept the blue haired troll close as a pup ‘I was so worried, I thought we lost you’.

Her own heart broke as she saw the pain and sadness, in the visible blue eyes, teal face being pushed into darker teal shoulder, the eyes fixed on the Lime in the green confusion and a betrayal crumpled face.

‘Flo’ Delta saw the heartbreak in the country yodelling troll etched across the like face, she watched the blue troll trying to push away from the magenta haired troll, ‘Hickory' the trembling voice of the younger, who was fixed on Hickory whose face was shutting down.

Branch felt his heart breaking as Hickory looked at him, he pushed out of Floyds arms, rushing and taking the lime hands into his own ‘I’m sorry, Hickory, I...I, please look at me’ his voice cracking as Hickory pulled away from him.

‘Your names not Floyd’ he shook his head, tears gathering in the corner of his eyes, ‘No’ voice low, ‘Hickory please let me’ Branch started he needed to explain, he didn’t even know why he hadn’t told Hickory, no he did, but when Hickory had told him his story he couldn’t be another person who hurt him, he didn’t want to be, but here he was standing in the lie which had crashed around him, and hurting him now.

‘What is it really’ hearing a growl from behind him, at the demand he put a hand out which was immediately clasped by his brother, not what he wanted, he needed Floyd to not growl at Hickory none of this was his fault it was his.

 ‘Branch’ whispering the guilt flooding through his body, ‘how old are you really?’ Hickory’s voice went flat, Branch had heard it once when the troll who passed through wouldn’t take no for an answer and had tried to pressure Branch to join him, even going as far as to pull the unsuspecting troll into his hold and force a kiss onto him something he wasn’t telling his Grandma and brother.

Swallowing, trying to stop Hickory pulling away, ‘I’m 21 next week’ Branch’s voice low, as his tail wrapped around him in comfort ‘you lied to me after I told you about...’

Branch had lowered his head trembling , ‘I’m sorry, Hickory it was only about that, Hickory I swear everything else is true’ Branch saw the minute Hickory broke, hand being snatched away as Hickory backed away ‘were you ever going to tell’ the break in Hickory’s voice felt like the final blow in Branch’s resolve as he stood silent, he couldn’t move, Hickory nodded and resigned he let out a long breath, nodded again and left, his face was completely blank.

‘Hickory, please’ Branch felt his tail droop, his heart shattering as the door closed, arms wrapped around him, as he was brought back into the now uncomfortable hold between Floyd and Grandma.

Looking to his now he was certain, no longer friend, ‘Sheriff, Delta, I’m sorry, and thank you for what you did for me, I wish I could take it back and have told you the truth, but everyone here and you treated me as an equal, like I wasn’t some stupid kid, that I was capable’ tears fell down his blue face, ‘I’m sorry for lying, I... I just, I wanted, I guess it doesn’t matter what I wanted... Miss, Sheriff Delta, I’m sorry, I...I’ll leave, I... I hope you can forgive me one day’ rubbing at his face, as his Grandma pet his hair.

He felt a hand under his chin, ‘Branch’ he looked to the green eyes of the Sheriff, understanding and a little disappoint looked back at him, ‘I’m glad to have met you, but you could have put yourself in real danger, if you went into heat, I don’t think Hickory would forgive himself if he hurt you, Branch you took big a risk, and Hickory he wouldn’t have deserved that to happening to him’ , Delta never curbing her words, ‘Branch, Hickory came here because he’d been lied to and hurt by someone he trusted, I won’t tell you the full story, I’m assuming you know it’ he nodded, Hickory told him, ‘I don’t know if he will be okay after this, you owe him a significant apology and an explanation’.

‘I know’ he whispered, his heart-breaking the longer Delta spoke, Hickory had told his about the fight he had with his brother, how the lies had torn them apart and almost cost Hickory his life, Branch had been furious at the time and now he just felt sick he was no better.

Delta took his hands, Branch clenched them between his, ‘I am sorry Delta, truly’, his head dropping as two hands touched his shaking shoulders.

‘You’ve got a good boy here, he’s a hard worker and a kind person, a little headstrong’ this got a laugh from his Grandma and a chuckle from Floyd, ‘but he’s a good boy, you should be proud of him’, Delta brought Branch into a warm, motherly hug, Branch clung to her his hands gripping the checked green fabric of her shirt, ‘I’m really sorry Delta’ he felt her hand sweep his back, ‘I know’ was whispered between them, before the country Sheriff pulled away.

‘I expect I won’t be seeing you for a while’ he shook his head at the statement, his heart breaking all over at the words, he loved being here, he didn’t want to leave, people treated him as a person not a broodmare because he was a carrier, or a child, or someone delicate, he was expected to pull his weight and help, but he was also learned so much here, gasping he choked back the sob which wanted to spill from his mouth.

‘Branch’, ‘Peachfuzz’ the two voices behind him causing his ears to turn down, he nodded slowly, ‘Good bye Miss Delta, if...if you see Hickory, please, please tell him I’m sorry, and I... I never meant to lie and I understand if he never wants to see or speak to be, but can you tell him everything I told him was true’ Branch took the bracelet Hickory had given him as Floyd and pressed it into Deltas hands, choking back a sob, ‘can you tell him I’m sorry and I... I’ Branch felt his breath hitching, ‘I truly wanted to us to be... it’s why I asked’ Branch couldn’t finish the words.

He choked back his tears before he truly broke down and refused to leave.

Teal and green arms wrapped around him their the their tails linking together, ‘come on Baby Branch’ he nodded resigned, his throat locked up as he looked back to the orange country, who looked at him with sad eyes.

Branch nodded feeling Floyd hold him closer tail tightening around his just a bit more.

Hickory stood on the edge of the river, the symbolism wasn’t lost on him, he was the one who found Floyd, Branch, he found Branch.

Sighing, Hickory kicked the rock in front of him, he didn’t know how to feel about all of this on one hand, Branch has lied to him, sure Hickory noticed the flicker of uneasy in the blue eyes when he called him Floyd, the way Branch sometimes didn’t answer when he called out, but what hurt the worst was Branch knew how Hickory felt, he told him about the troll he was engaged to, how he found her with a family member he refuses to name and to top it off, had also lied about her age, she was younger than Branch and that’s what made everything worse, he found out about the rumours the lies, she said the pup she was carrying was his, if it wasn’t for his older brother he would have been in serious trouble, so with his blessing Hickory left, he came here, he found a kindred spirit in Delta who had been burnt when the pop troll she fell in love with ran.

On the other hand, Hickory loved seeing Branch’s smile when he saw him.

He was happy Branch had been honest about the fact he hadn’t bloomed and had asked to keep separate households.

Hickory pulled the small box from his hat, a courting gift, flicking the box open he saw the simple charm he crafted, it was something stupid, he scoffed, Branch knew he wasn’t a country troll by birth, but a yodelling troll, a small blue snowflake stared back at him, it was a joke between them, Hickory had lived with the snow and missed it, and Branch had only every seen it in his village, but had asked Hickory if he could take him to see proper snow in the mountains, in his home village

Hickory had planned to take Floyd, now Branch to see them and introduce them to Dickory and Doc, snapping the box close he held in a tight fist, anger surged through him, lifting it ready to throw, as fast the anger came it went, arm suspended in the air he stalled it the throw, his breath hitching, bring the box to his chest he held it over his heart as silent tears fell down his face, his heart thumping heavily under him.

‘Hickory’ the warm, but concerned voice came from behind him ‘Delta’.

Hickory felt her stand next to him, a silent, comforting presence beside him, ‘he lied to us’ he finally spoke, his voice void of emotion, he wasnt sure which hurt more, his feelings it the fact that he fell for this again.

‘yes he did’ Delta spoke firmly, ‘ he’s going back’.

‘Good, he shouldn’t be here’ Hickory felt his voice waver, as his oldest friend took his hand, resting a familiar bracelet into the palm, ‘why?’ he choked back the sob he wanted to come forward.

‘he gave it back, with and apology but I think you need to speak to him Hickory and let him explain, because I can see it in your eyes you love him and your hurt, so is he, they weren’t mean to come in until I told them to and for that I’m sorry...’ Hickory cut Delta off.

‘It’s not your fault, he...he’s the one who lied about...’ fisting the bracelet, he remembered Floy...Branch’s eyes lighting up, at the same time something was bothering him it happened a lot when he was called Floyd.

‘he asked me once’ Hickory nodded, ‘he asked what I would do if he if he had something that would change how I saw him’, he let out a hollow laugh, ‘guess I know now what it was’ swallowing he tilted his hat low over his eyes, ‘why’d he do Delta, why would he lie’.

He let the fury enter his voice, ‘I told him about what happened, why would he lie to me?’

‘Did you tell him everything?’,

‘No I didn’t want him to know about that part of my life’ Hickory never wanted his past to taint Flo..Branch, but it seems it did, ‘you know my Opa Glock gave me this bracelet and told me to give it to someone who I could see a full life with, Fl...Branch was that future or I thought he was’.

A hand rest on his shoulder, ‘I can’t make the choice for you, only you can, he did ask only this of me, to tell you he was sorry and everything he said was true and he understood if you never speak to him, and everything he said was true’.

‘I’m going to see him off, it’s part of my job, if your not my dark, I’ll come get you, you know I will’.

Nodding slowly he turned back to the river, silent and watched it rush past, it was the same kind of thoughts he had when he saw the pop troll clinging to the log, before giving up his hold, squeezing the bracelet in his hand.

Hickory raised it ready to throw it to the fast waters, before he brought it back to his chest and sobbed.

He needed to see him, Hickory needed to know.

Floyd didn’t now how to deal with a Branch who was so silent, even upset his baby brother was verbal, rubbing a had over the warm back, he felt a shudder and heard a sniffle before he was holding a sobbing and shaking Branch in his arms, his tail automatically wrapping around him.

Wide shocked eyes looked to their Grandma who was looking at Branch with sadness in her eyes, cuddling the shaking troll, Floyd saw their grandma nod to him, with a small gesture he blinked understanding, before leaving to make sure three weren’t causing a problem.

‘Branch’ he the sobs finally calming but the trembling was still there, the soft shuffles as his little brother buried his face into his side, ‘Branch what happened?’, he felt the head shake of no, sighing he continued to pet the slowly darkening hair, hearing the soft snuffles, looking down Branch had fallen asleep tear tracks across his face as he clung to the leaf vest.

Sighing Floyd stared at the horizon seeing the beauty in the rolling countrysides, but something to him was missing, everything was bland colours, reds, yellows and oranges thrown in for variety.

He looked at his sleeping brother, he couldn’t imagine Branch staying here, it was just so different to what he would want for his brother, but then Branch wasn’t Floyd who like the hustle and bustle of the forest, Branch was always found in quiet areas or working on some project.

‘What am I going to do with you huh?’ stroking the soft eyebrow and smoothing the creases in the greying face, unlike his brothers Floyd understood feeling grey and it showing, he and Branch had down turned ears, from the loss of their Grandpa Clover, Branch had never really recovered, Floyd did his colours came back slowly, and just as vibrant but Branch always seemed to be muted, oh Floyd had seen them bright when he was singing with his brothers or passionate about his projects, he became as giddy as a pup when he was he got going, and then like a popping balloon they disappeared.

But seeing Branch today with his colours as bright as they were as a pup had hurt him, at the same time as bringing him intense joy, his brother was happy, happier than he had been in a long time and then things changed so fast, he watched as Branch seemed to shatter when the troll who called him Floyd asked him for the truth, and Branch crumbled as he told him his name and his real age.

Seeing the pain etched on Branch’s face had made Floyd instinctively growl wanting to protect his baby brother and shield him from the troll and after seeing the notes and words in his journal, about his treatment from the village, the dismissal of his feelings when he told the group the first time someone used him to get close to the group, and he was told it was the price of fame, and just to not let anyone do it again, only for it happen and Floyd had been honestly happy for Branch and it was him who had to break his brothers heart when he over heard the bastard and his friends say Branch was only a bet, and to see if they could get the troll into bed, Floyd had never wanted Branch to feel that sort of pain again.

‘um excuse me Mister, is Mr. Floyd okay?’ the soft voice and small clops had Floyd turning around mindful of his sleeping brother, only to come face to face with a small group of trollings who were worrying their tails, eyes darting between the two.

‘He’ll be okay, I’m his older brother, my Grandma and I came to take him home’, the cries of ‘no’ startled him, hand automatically curling around Branch’s ear to try and keep him asleep, but he was too late.

Small whimpers came from his side Floyd wrapped his arms around Branch once more, ‘Mr. Floyd!’

‘Your brother said he was taking you home’.

‘You cant go Mr Floyd, who would teach us’

‘No one teaches us like you’

The trolling choruses crowding around them, he felt Branch push away from him to take the smallest one into his arms her little head immediately tucking into his neck, like Branch had done him moments ago.

‘Everyone I need you tap and clap for me’ Floyd sat stunned watching his brother and the children doing a little marching dance, the same one Floyd had taught Branch, as they all started giggling and moving, Floyd looked to his brother who had a small bittersweet smile on his face.

‘Okay thank everyone now eyes one me’ Floyd shouldn’t have been but he was shocked as everyone looked toward Branch and settled down, ‘now, everyone this is my big brother’ the grey blue troll looked to him, ‘his name is Floyd and he has come all this way to take me home’ he saw the frantic waving of a little green hand.

‘yes Mayflower?’

‘how come you got the same name as your big brother?’

Floyd heard the soft whine from Branch, ‘er, I... I was poorly and said my name was Floyd, and I didn’t correct it’

‘How come?’ that was a good question Floyd raised an eyebrow to Branch, as he lifted the little green girl up, to stop her pulling at his vest, ‘I...I don’t have a good reason, I didn’t want people to find me I guess, but it was silly because the people who love me needed to know I was safe and that I was okay, and I can only say I’m sorry to my family and to all of you for not telling the truth’ the blue eyes locked on his, Floyd gave a soft nod he would always forgive him.

‘So what’s your real name?’ Branch whipped around and Floyd looked at the troll who asked, a purple coloured troll with a mint green nose and green moustache and hair, he reached for the trolling in Floyds arms who gave a happy cry of ‘Daddy’.

‘Deputy Pete’ his little brothers voice was small and uncertain, Floyd wasn’t having his brother feel bad and was about to snap, ‘My name is Branch’, he saw the purple troll tilt his hat back up as his daughter had pulled it down, and gave him a small nod which Branch returned.

‘That’s a funny name’

He heard the small laugh Branch gave, ‘it is kinda funny isn’t it, but I like it, I’m just sorry I lied to all of you’ the small giggle of the child in his arms had Floyd calming down again, as the small yellow arms wrapped around Branch’s neck, ‘we forgive you Mr. Branch, Mr Floyd?’

Feeling a bit startled when the group turned to him, he smiled ‘Can’t Mr. Branch stay, you could come visit, we’ll take real good care if him and make sure he stays safe’.

He was saved from answering when a warm but familiar voice called out behind them, ‘well what in the Demeter is going on over here, I though school was done for the day’ it took him a moment but the voice, the lilt, Floyd didn’t have time to think on it he just wanted to see his brother with his own eyes, oh no, Floyd remembered, small things about this troll were different, her hair and clothes. but, he finally realised and connected the dots, Delta, Delta Dawn, the Mayor Mayhew Dusk’s only daughter who was now Sheriff, they really needed to leave, before John Dory showed up and made things worse.

Delta looked at Hickory and left him with here words, panting his shoulder, she left him to think hoping she got through to him, poor guy had the worst luck, but a small lie about his age, and not telling anyone his real name, while wrong did worry Delta some, but it seemed Branch had been honest about the rest, but it was up to them both to decide what happened next.

Stopping of at the small loft Branch had been renting until he could build his own, Delta took in the small amount of possessions Branch had collected, pictures from his students, some more decorative items which made sense now, and she found a slim journal, she was curious but refrained from looking, pulling a small travel sack from her hair and slowly emptying the hand carved drawers, she noticed the pattern wasn’t what you’d find in the town, but the care and attention to detail were stunning, and the clothes were well made, if she said so herself, a small gift was wrapped under one of the blue checked vests, the label had a stunning cursive of Happy Birthday Hickory, Love, it seemed he hadn’t put a name on it, poor kid, probably didn’t know what to put she thought.

Looking up a pair of warm hazel and brilliant blue eyes and a pair of warm smiles stared back at her, lime arms wrapped around the blue troll who held them, the bracelet Branch had given her to pass to Hickory on prominent display, this was about four weeks into Branch’s stay here, a whirlwind romance, but one Delta knew would last if Hickory and Branch spoke to each other and told the truth, it was hurdle, it would take time to rework, their grounds were shaky with the reveal and she blamed herself a little she should have pushed Branch to tell her.

Carefully picking up the photo she wrapped it so it wouldn’t break on the journey home, Delta knew Hickory was hurting, and she had a feeling he would come here first but not till long after Branch had left.

Placing the journal over the wrapped frame she looked at the room and saw a folded blanket, again not one you would find in the Town it was too thick, unfurling she found a beautiful winter pattern, Hendlgrate, she realised with a small wreath of Hickory leafs, seems her kid was busy, she ran a finger over the delicate stitch work, the fabric came from on of the trades she found him making, but the colours, this was hand dyed.

Folding it carefully she found the small box of sewing supplies and placed it basket she found, the blanket at the bottom so it didn’t get ruined and tucked the small pillow she had made on a whim and given him, deeming herself appointed task done, she left the birthday present on the well made bed, Hickory would need a reason to go after the pop troll she reasoned.

Gathering the bag and basket and closing the door Delta decided on taking the long way back to clear her head she saw the porch of the bar the younger members of the village surrounding the two pop trolls along with her deputy, taking the pair in, her heart ached a little the poor kid had gone and lost all his colour, she was hard pressed to tell what he would have been originally if she hadn’t seen him so bright before, he was apologising to the trollings and to Pete for lying and told them his real name.

Smiling when her niece called out ‘That’s a funny name’ and a flicker of anger ran across the magenta haired Floyds face, she needed to stop them before something happened and she had to ban them from the town,

‘alright you lot I know your folks are lookin’ for ya, now get before those chores pile up and you lose the light’, she looked at the real Floyd who seemed to have lost three shades of his colour and paled, ‘Suga’ you okay there?’

She couldn’t help it, she had always wanted a family and strove to make the her people happy, so treated them as such, the ones who wanted or who let her.

‘Floyd?’ Delta heard the concern and felt her own kick up, as the pink troll got paler, his eyes darting over her shoulder, ‘oh sugar honey iced tea’ her eyebrow raised as the squeaked tea.

‘Okay, well now the youngen’s have gone’ she felt the weight of the bag and basket, ‘I took the liberty of packing your room’ she watched the grey trolls ears droop lower if it was even possible, as he looked close to tears again, ‘I expect your to write I want to k ow evert thing you get up, and Clampers won’t be happy of she doesn’t hear from you’ as she passed the bag to the older troll, ‘Branch’ The blue eyes hit her, sadness, fear, anguish and broken hearted reflected in them, ‘I want to see you again’ she winked ‘maybe this time not the river’ this got a wet laugh and a hug, hands clinging to her back as a slim blue tail wrapped around her arm.

Pulling her friend tighter into her arms, Delta hushed the apologies and held him close, ‘I’m goin’ ta miss you Branch, your always welcome in Lonesome Flatts’ she pulled away wiping the wet cheek, ‘you here me, you have a place here, your part of this town when you come back’ pulling him back into her arms once more she dropped a kiss to his head and passed him the basket with the blanket and pillow.

‘See you soon Branch, and no more lyin about your age understand’.

Delta watched as the elderly troll came taking the basket from Branch as the real Floyd lifted the bag over his shoulder regardless of the small argument Branch put up, this made her unhappy as the small spark that was in his eyes faded, Branch she had come to learn was a independent who craved the chance to do things on his own, and in the time he’d been here, Delta had finally managed to break the shyness he had of wanting to do but stopping thinking someone was going to tell him off, so seeing made her realise why he did it.

His Granny caught her eye and she let the displeasure show, a small gesture to the basket and Branch had mint eyes widening slightly, and a soft nod was given.

Delta decided to let it go for now, everything was out of her hands.

Branch was brought back to Ronda still being held between his Grandma and Floyd, hearing the loud chatter of his brothers and the soft warble of Rhonda as he got closer, had him curling his tail around himself, he didn’t want to see them, looking down he curled his tail around his wrist, something he found himself doing more frequently since he had no one to hold tails with, until Hickory started holding it, it became something else, something sweet between them.

Sniffling he was helped inside, walking immediately to the bunks along the back of the bug, ‘Branch’ he curled under his sheet and into his pillows back facing the wall, he didn’t want to speak to anyone, he closed his eyes willing sleep to come to him.

A soft hand rested against his back, that was all it took, Branch broke down turning, hiding his face in his Grandma’s lap as she offered him gentle and quiet comfort.

‘Sleep my little peachfuzz, we’ll be home soon’.

Branch clung to the soft red skirt, home, home was with Hickory and in his apartment, home was slowly falling behind him as Rhonda moved further and further away.

Home.

Hickory stood in the distance watching Branch be loaded into the critter van, he tilted his hat downward, and turned away his heart was in there and he couldn’t even walk towards it.

He was a coward.

Chapter Text

Hickory walked back to the apartments, looking at the drain pipe he had climbed not twelve hours ago, a hand on his shoulder, ‘come on we need to make sure everything’s cleaned up for the next tenant,’ Hcikory swallowed arms angry and upset as he was Flo...Branch loved living here, he was happy and proud of the small apartment. 

Looking around, seeing the bare walls and empty rooms, standing in the spot where he asked if he could formally court the blue troll, kissing him. 

The vase of wild flowers still sitting on the table, he spotted a wrapped present on the bed, the hand made bedding needed removing and sending back he thought quietly, hand trailing it feeling the softness, Branch had picked it special from the traders, and the left overs he had made into small toys for the trollings in his class.  

Lifting the present he saw the familiar cursive, his name. Love  but unsigned, Hickory knew he should just leave it, it was from someone who had lied to him and he didn’t take the betrayal lightly, but what could it hurt now, pulling the ribbon he let it fall, peeling the soft green paper away.  

A wooden box sat in his palm, it was beautifully carved, and had his personal crest on top, no one had ever given him something like this, turning it and hearing a faint rattle inside he carefully lifted the lid finding a necklace.  

One crafted to look like the bracelet, the single bead contained an Edelweiss flower, he started sobbing as he thumbed the bead.  

Sitting in the edge of the bed Hickory couldn’t bring himself to move, his thumb shifting the bead rhythmically, he was supposed to be taking Branch’s things, but he couldn’t this was the blue trolls home.  

He paid Holly to keep it empty, he didn’t know why, he should just let it go but as he lay in the blankets, he thought of the blue troll resting next to him, smiling that heart stuttering smile, cuddling into his chest, as they spoke about their future together.  

It had been a week Branch was taken back, a week since the bar was open and Hickory was exhausted, he was cleaning the same glass he had started with an hour ago.  

‘Kleiner Bruder’ he looked up at the accent, Dickory was sat in front of him, blinking, ‘when did you get here?’ He croaked not realising how thirsty he was, coughing lightly he poured to glasses for him and his brother. 

‘I haven’t been here long, but you invited me remember’  

He had, after he had asked Branch, he wanted to introduce him to his family, it seemed years ago not weeks, ‘well’ 

‘He’s...he’s gone’ Hickory finally broke.  

He told Dickory everything, how he felt, what happened it was like once he started, he couldn’t stop, when he finally did, he looked to the stoic face of his older brother.  

‘I see’ he stood dumbfounded, that was is he poured his soul out and he got I see.   

‘Dickory’ 

‘you love this troll?’ watching his brother, nodding slowly, Hickory was weary, ‘then why are you here?’ came the explosive reply, ‘Hickory, it was a name, this boy, was scared and from what you said, it sounded like he panicked, and he could have disregard everything and lied about not blooming, stayed with you and put you in danger of a repeat of home, but he didn’t, he told you truth, he most likely told you the truth about everything, you said he tried to tell you, Hickory we have done much worse, but this Branch you said, he loves you, and you him, and from what I read in the letter you sent and what you’ve told me, Hickory you still love him, so why are you here and not with him asking him to come back, to stay with you, you have a love story Hickory the thing you’ve wanted since you were a child’  

He went to speak only to be cut off, ‘this is nothing like her, Hickory, this, was an accident and fear, she used you and she knew what she was doing, but Branch, he didn’t he didn’t push, he told you no, he respected the boundaries you gave and you respected his, it sounds like he wanted to explain buy it was taken out of his hands’. 

A hand took his, ‘go take a break and rest you look terrible Bruder’ this caused him to laugh and nod, pulling his older brother into a hug, ‘danke Dickory’  

‘you’re my kleiner Bruder Hickory, I’ll always help you’ he felt a hand touch the new necklace, ‘he made this?’ a soft nod, ‘it matches the bracelet Opa gave you, rest now bruder I’ll finish here and we’ll go from there.’ 

It had been a week since they had come back to Pop forest and Branch hadn't left his room, wouldn’t speak to anyone, and it seemed no one knew what to do with him. 

Branch lay curled up in his bed, pretty much as soon as he walked through their pod door, he took the basket with the pillow Delta had made him and found the blanket under his crafted sewing box, throwing it around himself silent tears pouring down his face, while making a small nest in the centre and buried himself under the sheet.  

Floyd had followed him, ‘Branch’ he heard the tone and knew Floyd wanted to ask questions, but he didn’t want to answer,  

‘can you close the curtains, both of them’ he watched as Floyd drew them shut, bathing his room a darker light it was better it matched his mood, ‘Branch, puppy’ an hand on his hair, ‘I’m tired’  

A disappointed sigh, ‘okay, I’ll come get you for supper, get some sleep, okay we’ll talk later’ Branch stared at the small strip of light, huffing before facing the other wall he didn’t deserve light, and silently cried himself to sleep.  

He blinked slowly at the soft knock, before a section of his room was bathed in the light form the corridor, ‘Bitty B’ he closed his and deliberately made his breathing slower, ‘Hey B, I’ll just leave this tray here for you, all of your favourites’ he doubted that, everything they all thought he liked was because of a stupid article to make him seem more relatable.  

The bed dipped as Johnny sat his hand stroking his quilt, Branch could feel the drag, ‘I’m sorry Branch, Floyd told us about the record, and the songs, he made us listen to them, and really listen, your songs, there something the band wouldn’t sing’ he rolled his eyes ‘but you should, you should sing them, I’ll help you create the album, B you are such an amazing troll I’m sorry I didn’t see it sooner’ he felt hand in his hair, ‘I love you Branch, you’re my baby brother but I’ve not been acting like a good big brother or manager/leader’ Branch listened to John prattle on, before patting the blanket, ‘I know your hurting and I won’t pretend to understand, but I’m here if you want me to listen B, I promise I will just let you talk and hold you when or if you need it, just try and eat something, okay, it passion fruit’.  

Branch felt surprised Johnny actually got it right.  

He heard the door close, rolling over he looked at the tray, it did look nice but he had no appetite he closed his eyes and went back to sleep.  

The second time he woke up the curtains were bright with the sun, the soft rattle of the tray leaving his room a soft kiss placed on his head, he scrunched his eyes and heard the door close, the muffled word filtering, ‘he didn’t touch it’.  

‘Hey little brother, I brought a little something to eat and maybe you would like to talk’ shuffling the blanket over his head, ‘was it a dream?’ he heard his voice it was raspy from disuse and lack of water and winced. 

A pale teal hand reached into Branch’s little cocoon, he took it, squeezing it a little before pulling away, ‘No B, no your home with us safe’ he started crying again, he felt safe with Hickory and with his friends in the Flatts he missed everyone, ‘I want to go home’ the hand pulled away, ‘you are home with us Branch, you’ll be safe and happy here’ he rolled away from the hand and Clay. 

Branch felt the bed shift as Clay left, only to feel it dip again as the body sat next to his, and started reading out loud when he heard Hendlgrate’s name, pushing upwards pushing the book away and cutting Clay off, ‘NO, GET OUT’ , seeing the green haired troll stare at him shock, as everyone came running to his room as he screamed, it was the most sound he’d made since he was collected.  

Batting at the hands which tried to touch him, ‘Puppy’ Floyd’s arms went around him as a tail wrapped his waist, he lashed out with his own, ‘peachfuzz’ he felt Grandmas link with his, his resting against her chest as he cried, he didn’t want to think of the village, Hickory described with such love, promising to take him to, introduce him to his brothers, to spend winter together so Branch could experience the snow properly and, he broke down clinging to his grandmother as he was bundled back into his bed, ‘I’m sorry’ he fell into an exhausted sleep.  

He was woke again when a cool cloth was placed on his head, ‘Sorry Branch didn’t mean to spook you, just changing this you have a little fever’ he hummed as he clacked a little, getting a warm chuckle from his second eldest brother, ‘here you go’ a straw was pressed towards him raising an eyebrow, he got one back and sighed.  

Gingerly taking a sip only to get warm milk and honey, humming as it coated his throat, ‘I don’t pretend to know what happened, but I have a feeling, I can’t imagine how you feel, but if I ever .lost Brandy I think I would feel the same’ he felt a lap tray being placed on him, and realised he was burrito wrapped, ‘I’m tired Bruce’  

He got a smile, ‘have a few bites and you can go right back to sleep’ the spoon was raised when he smelt it, his stomach giving a painful twinge as he was reminded he hadn’t eaten since the lunch date he and Hickory had, ‘Brandy’s speciality, for upset tummy’s, coconut milk and oatmeal, nice and filling with a little flavour, four bites at least okay, sorry force of habit too many little ones’ Branch quirked his lips taking the first bit, it was smooth and hardly required him to chew, opening his mouth for the next one, he didn’t actually realise how hungry he was.  

‘I know your not a baby, but you’ll always be my baby brother and if I can help I will, I have been kindly informed ive been making a hash of things and only interacting with you when I had to, and I’m sorry’ the half empty bowl was placed to the side after he shook his head he was full which wasn’t surprising, and he was glad Bruce didn’t push him to eat more, ‘you really loved this troll didn’t you’ Branch felt his ears droop, eyes burning, as his heart ached for the one person who while didn’t know his real name, knew everything about him, he had been honest about everything else.  

He was lifted easily by his older brother, giving a startled yelp, he was brought to the little balcony next to his room, and placed in a chair under a little umbrella, ‘some fresh air and sunlight, is good for napping and for your soul’ while he wasn’t ready to speak to anyone and glared at his brother for moving him without warning, he was feeling comfortable and the sun was warm, and the pillows soft ‘Sleep B ill watch over you’ he did just that.  

He was woke slowly feeling a gentle rocking, he was being carried again ‘thank you ‘pruce’ he mumbled he rarely called his brother be his original name, it wasn’t what Bruce liked, but sometimes not often, he needed him to listen so he did, ‘your welcome Puppy’ he was rested on his bed as Bruce started tending to his hair, washing and grooming it until he felt a little more clean falling asleep under the gentle but firm hand of his brother.  

When he woke next he felt the bed dipping slightly, but he refused to move, or even look ‘Peachfuzz’ sighing internally he rolled over so his Grandma could see him, ‘Oh my little Peachfuzz’  

‘I’m tired Grandma’ he whispered  

A hand brushed over Branch’s messy bed hair, ‘but I am hungry, is there anything to eat’ this got him a bright and happy look, ‘always, would you like anything in particular, or would you like some more of the coconut oatmeal’ he loved his grandma, feeling a little guilty for making her worry.  

‘pancakes, and some yoghurt and fruit’ she seemed surprised, but smiled ‘I’ll put some blueberries and chocolate chips in the batter’, he wanted to wince at the chocolate chips, he had been gotten used to Deltas recipe, it was just how he like them, no extra sweetness but the honey she used.  

‘can I come out and join you?’ he whispered it seems Bruce was right the sun and fresh air did him some good, ‘of course you can baby’,  he was helped from the burrito he was wrapped in, ‘you go wash up a little and I’ll have them ready in a jiffy okay baby?’.  

He nodded when he caught the scent of stale sweat, he was a little smelly no wonder Bruce washed his hair, he would make his favourite hair care products and bath stuff as a thank you, and he needed to apologise to Clay for his behaviour and yelling at him for reading he didn’t know.  

‘Grandma what day is it?’  

‘it’s your twenty first birthday tomorrow peach’ was called back as she was bustling around his room opening the curtains and window, his tail swayed happily as she did it, he couldn’t help it he ran into her arms his tail linking with hers automatically, it was his Grandma he would always link tails with her as she held him close. 

‘I love you Grandma, I’m sorry for not coming back’ 

‘Stop’ a firm but kind voice told him, ‘I’m unhappy you didn’t tell them your real name and you lied about your age baby, that as foolish and dangerous and I think you  know that’ Branch did and rested his head on her shoulder as Rosiepuff carried on, ‘but I saw the heartbreak you went through, and the other young man’  

‘Hickory’ he whispered, getting a nod.  

‘Hickory, he wasn’t sure what do, and you put him in a dangerous position, you put yourself in one, but I could see he truly loved you and you him, and with the Sheriff said and from what I can piece together, Branch why didn’t you tell him the truth’ he felt a hand under his chin he looked into the worried green eyes, she didn’t even let him answer, he didn’t want to fall into the habits he had before. 

‘let’s get some food in you and some fresh air, I need to go to market, would you like to come with me, we can look in the crafting and book sections’ he knew she was trying to tempt him and it was working, ‘I’ll bring the bag in and you can change’ her thumb moving under his eye, he snuggled into her hold ‘love you Grandma’ 

‘I love you too Peachfuzz’.  

Branch had washed in record time, and was staring at the duffle on his bed, he didn’t want to open it, but at the same time he needed to know what Delta had put in it. 

Finally braving it Branch pulled the zipper, scents of Lonesome Flatts and his own soap came out of the bag, breathing slowly Branch committing it to memory.  

He saw the pictures from his students, and his new journal flicking through he found several drawings Hickory had done of him, the area, Hendlgrate, a small pressing of the some of the flowers Hickory had given him, he didn’t even have chance to get one of the Edelweiss flowers, love and courage, Branch had lost both of them, his ears drooped as he place the book on his table.  

Reaching back inside he felt something wrapped in his blue checked, carful in his unwrapping he turned the frame known what was on the other side.  

Sitting on the edge of his bed, he looked the night of the bonfire, before that disgusting troll had forced a kiss on him, he stroked the edge of the frame, Hickory looked so happy and he had never felt safer in anyone’s arms.  

‘Branch Grandma wants to know if you're ready?’ he didn’t even look up at the words too fixed on the picture and the warmth in Hickory’s eyes, and the subsequent coldness on the day he left.  

The bed dipping beside him, ‘you look happy’ he felt the strong arm of his brother around him, Bruce, he realised.  

‘It doesn’t matter if I was, I lied for so long, I hurt him Bru, I knew what happened to him and did it as well I should have said something, I did try, but I didn’t try hard enough, I should have tried everyday’ strong arms were wrapped around him and the comforting coconut scent filled his nose, ‘I love him Bruce and I lied’ rubbing his cheek against Bruce's black and white knit vest.  

‘Branch?’ he looked to the door of his room his Grandma stood in a flowy green dress with her pink shawl, she immediately sat next to him her arms going around his back.  

‘what’s this baby?’ he hid the wince at the name, as she took the picture frame, he almost didn’t let it go, ‘Oh peachfuzz’ he missed the calculated look in her eyes.  

‘Come on my Peach and Plum, foods on the table’.  

Rosiepuff had a basket in hand as she trailed the market looking for everything she needed for supper.  

She had been thinking about the picture of her peach and the yodeller, she recognised the bracelet on Branch’s wrist, something you didn’t give lightly, she looked at the one on her own wrist, clovers glinting back at her. 

‘that’s three bits Mrs Rosie’ dropping the coins into the grocers hands, ‘I think that’s everything Peachf...Branch...Branch’ he couldn’t be missing again, she just got him back, when she spotted a flicker of dark navy hair.  

Purple hand to her chest, she started over ready to tell him off, when she realised where he was stood, it was a pod sale, her heart clenched, he couldn’t leave she needed him near, knowing he was safe, until she remembered, the turquoise eyes of the Sheriff, her peach had been living alone for three months, he would always be her baby boy but he was growing up, she nodded after his Bloom she would help him find his own pod.  

‘Peach’ the startled jump almost had her laughing on the spot, looking him over she saw the full basket in his hands and the full bag he had over his shoulder, she wanted to reach out and take them from him, but the flash of turquoise in her mind stopped her.  

The guilty expression, on the grey face which followed had her smiling softly, ‘are there any you like?’ she saw the widened blue eyes so much of her Clover looked back her, she nodded to the pictures, with a shake over shoulder.  

She stood stunned as Branch started speaking a torrent of information and ideas pouring out of him, he had put the basket down automatically, and pulled a book from his hair, she saw the way his colours flickered getting brighter, as he discusses the merits of a high up or a lower hanging pod, or if he would prefer to build a little home for himself, that was when he seemed to deflate and slow down his voice dropping off.  

The sales troll rolled their eyes which got a glare from Rosiepuff, daring them to open their mouth.  

‘all wonderful points Branch, how about’ she came next to him, taking some of the pamphlets for both and spotting some for Lonesome Flatts and Hendlgrate, mixing them into the pile, placing them into his book, she closed it gently, ‘we talk about finding you a home of your own, on the one agreement you wait until after your bloom or your first heat after’.  

Roisepuff watched as tears welled before they were being blinked away, as she was swept into a tight hug, feeling the blur of his tail wagging, ‘thank you’ was whispered next to her ear.  

Branch she noticed was chattering the most she’d heard from him in the last week, when she heard it the tell tale yawn of her exhausted grandpup, ‘peach why don’t you go take a nap, we’ve been busy’ she pressed a cup of quickly made tea, when she sneakily pressed a kiss to his head, pulling back. 

 ‘Branch, Peach are you feeling, okay?’ she rest the back of her hand against his head, ‘Baby your burning up’ she took in the foggy look in his eyes.  

‘SPRUCE, JOHN DORY’ Rosiepuff screamed as Branch moaned doubling over, she held him as best she could, ‘it’s okay baby, I’ve got you grandma’s got you’ she heard the thundering of feet, ‘Boys help me, Floyd, Clay go close the window and curtains in his room quickly, the get some cool water, John, Bruce , were going to need one of your shirts, biggest one you own it needs to be baggy, then I need you get something you’ve worn, or slept on a pillow,  blanket, something from each if you, Floyd, Clay I need one if you to grab my shawl, bring it with you, hurry now’  

She passed Branch to Bruce who lifted him with ease rushing him to his room, a green and pink blur following, ‘Grandma’ she look to her oldest, ‘I’ll stay with him I went through this’ she reached his cheek patting gently, ‘we will take it turns, no need to exhaust ourselves as well, go one you know what needs to be done to make him comfortable, I’ll be right there’.  

Watching John as he went to his old room, she quickly penned two letters whistling as a familiar Lonesome Flatts zipper bug came in, ‘Okay Rusty, I need you take these to Delta Dawn and Hickory can you do that?’ she got a happy zip as she fixed them to his pouch, ‘then go with speed and my hope’.  

‘GRANDMA’ she dart down the corridor with a small bag of pain herbs and fever reducers.  

Branch felt hot, hotter than he had ever felt, his pelvis was hurting it felt like a pressure sat in his back and stomach at the same time, he wanted it to stop, ‘ its okay baby’ a cloth dabbed at this head, as he moaned as the coolness, a straw was pressed to his lips, ‘ come on Branch you need to drink this’ he was gentled coaxed by the voices, his family scents around him.  

‘ it’s getting closer’   

‘Remove the blankets’   

He shivered as something changed in his body, and around him, when the pressure went away replaced by something he enjoyed, the sensations running through him, had him panting as he moaned, his body shifting rubbing against soft fabrics, the fabric against his body felt wrong, pushing the offending shirt off, Branch looked around his room, it was wrong. 

He wanted the wooden walls, the soft fabrics of his handmade blankets, he saw the duffle, and went rummaging, his mate wouldn’t approve of his nest wasn’t right, finding the blankets he wanted, a pleased hum leaving him as he rubbed them against his face before dragging them into his bed shuffling them around until they were placed perfectly. 

Branch didn’t understand his feelings right now they were jumbled but everything seemed safe but he wasn’t feeling it, pushing a chair under the door wedging it shut and the cabinet in front of the window, it made him feel slightly better, his tail flicking nervously, he wasn’t safe he needed his mate, he would keep him safe, but he wasn’t here, a mournful cry came from his lips, he wasn’t with him because Branch was a bad mate, he hurt his courted. 

Whimpering as a wave of pleasure rushed through him, bringing Branch to his knees, waiting for it pass he knelt hoping it would, he felt a knot in his lower belly and a  feeling like an itch, something he couldn’t quiet reach. 

Biting his lip, Branch crawled to his bed, very aware of the way his legs were brushing together, which had him stopping every so often, he spot between his legs pulsing as a something shifted, every book he read and everything his Grandma had told him, didn’t prepare him for how it would feel when it finally happened.  

Branch Bloomed, the small protective lining which stopped carrier from becoming with egg too young, dissolved from the heat in his body, endorphins flood him causing him to cry out as something was leaking down his legs. 

He had touched himself before, what teenager or adult wouldn’t when they curious or dreamt about certain things, but this paled to how it felt, he moaned his belly tightening as each wave passed though him, he needed something, he needed to feel something, seeing the blue bag John had left has him curious he was told it was for just in case. 

Pulling himself up, stifling the moan threatening to come out he grabbed the bag and crawling into his bed, he flipped it over spilling everything onto the cover, before blushing brightly. 

A selection of small intimate toys lay across his bed, blue eyes immediately drawn to the dulled but equally recognisable lime green toy, Branch felt his mouth go dry, slowly wetting his lips, he brushed his fingers over the toy, his thighs clenching slightly sending a small pulse through his body.  

A small note, the handwriting familiar, go slow, he blushed harder, Johnny had written it, Branch didn’t know John was a carrier, but he should have given the nurturing rolls he took with Rhonda, he babied her rotten.  

He picked up the small bottle which was with it, reading the label.  

Putting everything in the bag except the lime green toy and the lubricant, Branch staring unsure, taking the toy in his hand he felt the weight of it, sturdy not solid, soft but not squishy, was this how all the dominant felt he wondered, blushing as his mind flicking back to the first time he met Hickory, his body was damp with sweat and his muscles were flexing and twitching in a way while Branch hid behind words, he had never seen troll in Pop forest who would work with their hands or with their body like Hickory had been, the flirting he was use to, but not quite like it was presented. 

Feeling his body quake with the need to feel, his hand involuntarily squeezed the toy, as his body reminding him what was happening. 

Branch has never seen Hickory without something covering his leg but had seen the distinct V that went into his trousers, felt the not so small bulge pressing against him during slightly heavier than normal petting session which had started as mere teasing, Branch had felt Hickory's full weight as he pressed against him. 

Feeling the heat flush over his body, Branch moaned as the thoughts of that day crept back into his mind.  

‘ah’  

Branch had been working at the school for the last two weeks.  

Hickory had been confined to his own apartments in the Saloon for the last week and half, due to his pre rut symptoms making him overly affectionate to Branch, who wasn’t complaining at the extra cuddle session, but the seductive whispering, and nibbling on his sensitive ears when no one was looking would make him blush or gasp and when he was alone he would imagine, Hickory touching him, laying with him, teasing him, claiming him.  

Branch rubbed the gold bracelet the flowered beads, thinking of Hickory, and while he knew it was foolish and two weeks, he missed him, he was always able to see him even if it was to pass by and wave at each other, if they were working in different areas that day and hadn’t seen each other flowers would appear in his room from Hickory and Branch would make sure a warm meal and his best made self-heating slave for muscles.   

Standing at the entrance to Saloon he looked at the golden yellow building walls seeing the pale blue insides, with the dark wooden sides and the Hendlgrate designs etched into it, he was proud when Hickory had let him carve the crests, he had been teased ridiculously by Delta when Hickory had asked him to create his own mark in the wood, he didn’t have one and was shown how to craft one, he was still designing it.  

‘You shouldn’t be in here alone Lebes’ whipping around,  his tail puffed slightly, he saw the silhouetted body of his courted, the slight scent of winter tinting the air, and tickling his nose.   

‘I’m sorry’ Branch started, moving backwards, ‘I didn’t think’ Hickory was quick he had Branch pressed against the wall, Hickorys lips attached to his neck, working up to his lips, moans spilling between them, large hand palming his ass, as his own legs and tail wrapping around the strong waist.  

‘Hick, Hickory we need to, we to stop’ Branch moaned, words between gasps, a hand rubbing against the base of his tail, slipping up his back,  he had never felt like this, desired.  

He was placed onto his feet, as Hickory bracketed him, hands at the side of his head as their chests rose and fell together, their heads together, ‘we should’ Branch nodded his agreement, looking through his lashes.   

Branch couldn’t help it, he wanted to feel the intoxicating kiss again, nudging at the flaring nose, Branch pressed quick kisses which started them again, this is where the memory changed to daydream. . 

Hickory lifted him carrying to the bedroom, laying him amongst the soft cotton sheets and pillows, looking down at him, eyes tracing his body, as he wiggled at the phantom sensations.   

‘Hickory’ Branch reached out his hand being taken their fingers linking together, as Hickory knelt on the bed between Branch’s legs.   

‘Branch’ he purred at the sound of his name coming from his Hickory, pleased he hummed as the calloused hands tracing his arms, sending a warm sensation through him, ‘my Branch’  

‘yes’ he breathed out, ‘my Hickory’ his lips shook as the older troll put his full weight over him, their lips connecting, moving slowly as Hickory slipped his tongue into his mouth his own meeting it as Hickory coaxing to upward by pulling away slightly, before separating their breaths mixing.   

‘Lebes’ a thumb brushed his cheek, ‘can I?’ even now Hickory was still a gentle troll, he nodded stealing another kiss, ‘will you guide me?’ Branch breathed the words, Hickory’s nose rubbed softly against his, ‘yes’.   

This sent a thrill down his spine.  

‘What, what do I do?’ uncertainty filled his voice, he had no experience beyond his own touch and thoughts, ‘do you feel comfortable removing your clothes, will you lay yourself bare in my bed and let me look at you, see you’.   

Branch felt his heart thunder in his ears, his breathing speeding up, could he do this, he wanted to, ‘can I see you first, please Hickory’, he felt the bed shift the yodeller stood aside him once more, Branch pushing upwards leaning on his hands, swallowing he watched the lime hands which had worked in rooms below, holding his breath, he watched as the brown vest fell away, muscles flexing at each shift.   

Hands which held him earlier resting on the gold belt buckle, he watched as it fell apart the tight abdominal muscles showing as the button was flicked open, the shift was immediate, trousers dropping with a soft whump against the wooden floor.   

Branch felt his eyes widen, as he swallowed, ‘Branch’ his eyes flicked upwards the whiskey eyes fixed on his face, the lilt soothing his nerves, ‘Hickory’ he took the offered hand and stood in front of his bare mate, hands trailing up his arms, tracing his covered collar bone, one cupping his neck fingers weaving into his hair, the other tilting his head upwards, his own holding the green arms, for uncertainty of placement as he clung to the slightly taller, their lips pressed together no force just a simple kiss, which had him melting into Hickory’s hold.   

‘come let me see you, my Branch’ was whispered against his lips, buttons of his shirt were opened before he could respond, working it free from his shorts, and the calloused hands went inside, up his back, his own resting on Hickory front, exploring the solid chest, ‘that’s it Lebes’  

Hickory hands pushed his shirt from his body, before kneeling his fingers tracing the band of his shorts, drawing gasps at the soft touch, ‘rest your hands on my shoulders or in my hair' a lingering press of lips on his waist as the string holding them came loose, they were guide carefully from him, with a quiet lift and nudge of his leg  

This was it Branch stood bare before Hickory a shiver ran through him at the heated look in the hazel eyes, hands stroking his shaking legs, calves twitching under the touch, the crease where his bottom rested above his thighs was teased as a hand moved to between his legs, his tail wrapped around Hickory’s arm.   

Knees almost buckling as a finger slide easily between his damp folds, ‘Hickory’   

‘does it feel good Branch’ The way his name was said had him weak, as the thick finger began rubbing at him, ‘oh’ Branch squeezed the firm shoulder tight they were the only thing which was grounding him, the pressure stopping, watching eyes fixed on the finger Hickory had removed from him, a sheen coating it, ‘you’re already so wet for me Lebes’ his breath hard, as Hickory licked his digit, eyes never leaving him.   

Hickory moaning, Branch’s surprised squeaked as he was lifted upwards lips connecting, teeth catching as Hickory pinned him back to the bed.   

‘Keep you hands here, don’t move them, ja lebes, don’t move them, legs here’ Branch whimpered as Hickory head was between his parted legs, lips nibbling and teasing inside his thighs, tongue licking, dipping inside, tasting him, the soft scratch of the scruff Hickory bore.   

The coil in his belly tightening, when he felt something blunt enter him, slowly, the tongue never stopping, Branch clasping the sheets above him, his body arching and writhing as pleasure coursed him, at each stroke, curl, lick, twist, the coil snapping as he screamed his pleasure.   

Panting, the finger he realised was not one but three, stretching and opening him, ‘do you like this lebes, you are so fucking beautiful, so perfect when you cum’, gasping at the words as the lime face came into view, ‘you can move Branch, you did so well for me’ soft kisses were trailed across his face, over his nose and lips, he felt safe, wanted.   

‘Hickory’ he caught the next kiss, it deepened slowly, ‘Branch’ he felt the blunt tip of something pressing into him, relaxing into the hold, eyes drifting shut, he was mated, claimed, loved.   

They traded soft words, between them as they began to move with each other, Branch learning quickly, working with Hickory.   

There love making never slowing, no movement was wasted, no touch unwanted until they could move no more.   

Branch laid, head resting on Hickory’s shoulder, stated and comfortable, ‘Lebes, Branch’, he moaned as Hickory pulled out of him slowly, gasping at the feeling, and disliking the feeling of being empty.  

Blinking, Branch looked slowly around he was in his blue room not the wooden walls of his home in Lonesome Flatts not in the arms of his, of Hickory, a breeze came through his opened window, the room had been moved back around, wiggling slightly he felt a pleasing ache between his legs. 

A white cloth entered his vision and was rested on his face, the door was open, bolting up he looked at the green eyes of the intruder, and growled lowly, his tail lashing about.  

‘Calm down Peachfuzz, it’s me Grandma’ shaking his head, his growl getting louder, ‘Branch Stop’ he jumped up, this was his room, it was his private space, why did no one get this.  

‘ Get out’ the surprise and worry on her face, didn’t phase him, he growled once more, when the door was closed he settled down, curling back under the blanket, he felt something nudge his leg, fishing under he pulled out the slick coated toy, blushing, he quickly tucked it under his pillow.  

He dosed on and off for a few hours feeling sedated and comfortable, to energetic and restless, but he still didn’t want to lose his little cocoon in his bed so during this time he pulled out his Lonesome Flatts journal he couldn’t find the one he has here so, Branch assuming it was lost in the waters wrote in this one.  

Songs, Letters he wanted to send to Hickory apologising and explaining, letters to Delta Dawn and Holly Darling, even some to Clampers and his students. 

A soft knock disturbing him, muttering under his breath about the disturbance, a day alone where know one came to talk to him, or wanted him to talk really was it too much to ask, closing his book, ‘Come in’ he grumbled.  

‘Hey Bitty B, Grandma asked me to check on you, and being food, your favourite passion fruit tart and some toast and fluffberry jam’ nose twitching as John came and set the tray on his lap, his stomach growled at the smell, he looked at his brother.  

‘Thank you’ he went for the toast first, and quickly followed by the tart he hadn’t realised how hungry he was, quickly licking his lips he looked at his brother who was smiling understanding, ‘sorry did you?’  

A shake of teal haired head, ‘Branch how are you feeling?’ his stomach growled again, ‘still hungry?’ he nodded quickly, ‘I’ll be right back’.  

He watched as John ran out of the room the tray in his hand, ‘Peachfuzz’ he looked up seeing his sweet Grandma, ‘Hi Grandma, I’m sorry for earlier’ she came in wrapping her arms around him, ‘it’s okay baby, John Dory was the same’.  

A tray was placed back on his lap, another tart and some pancakes this time.  

‘I think its time to talk about what happens now you’ve gone through your Blooming’ his Grandma took his hand and John looked at him in understanding, he was confused.  

It had been a week since his blooming and he was already annoyed with the village, everyone one of them didn’t seem to grasp he wasn’t interested.  

He was frequently accosted when he went out, because apparently now he was desirable, he huffed as he hid behind a tree again, he just wanted some private time.  

Final Branch was able to make it back to the pod, where he was engulfed in a tight hug, ‘where were you, you can’t just disappear like that Branch I was so worried’. 

Branch sighed internally, his tail drooping, ‘I wasn’t gone that long Floyd and I didn’t disappear, I was hiding from the crazy trolls who can’t seem to take a hint and leave me alone’ he was followed into the living room when he saw two baskets on the table, ‘really again’ he sighed looking at the names on the cards before picking them both up and taking them back outside.  

Creek and Poppy, he had to give them something they were persistent, ‘Branch would it be so bad to accept a date from them’ his head twisted, giving a fantastic side eye, ‘Yes it would’ dropping them by rubbish collection Branch brushed past Floyd to the kitchen, ‘Grandma can you please stop bringing the baskets in I’m really not interested in anything anyone here has to offer’  

A plate was pushed into his hands, ‘it’s rude to leave them outside and you better not have put them in the rubbish again’ 

‘Its not like I want them’ he mumbled, wincing when his ear was pinched, ‘Branch you need to write declined notes, proper ones’ his Grandma rubbed the ear she pulled, ‘I did, I don’t know how much clearer they want me to be, I told them No, thanked them and sent the gift back, I was polite, mostly, which can’t be said for some of the letters.’  

Getting his cheek rubbed ‘well I can’t fault you, but u think we have something to discuss’ Branch cocked his head slightly, getting a fond head shake, ‘these’ the pamphlets from the pod sale, his ear lifted ‘you mean it’. 

‘I did promise, after your bloom or your first heat your choice baby’ the sheer happiness Branch felt made his colours brighten considerably, he was going to have a place his own again.  

Branch sighed sitting at the edge of a small bank, living in a pod was difficult, everything felt wrong, the wind rocked it, the noise of outside filtered through, his Grandma had said it would take time to get used to, and the pod had to get to know him to grow what he needed, most pods would be grown in by now, it had been three months and a lot of arguments by his brothers about him moving out, so young to which Branch made the point they all moved out at eighteen, he was twenty one and had waited.  

He knew what the problem was. 

What he needed and wanted was going to grow because his home wasn’t here it was down the river, he missed his little apartment, with the view of the bar, the school around the corner, the community who even pre bloom treated him like a troll no a hindrance, Pete who taught him to lasso, Delta who taught her famous pancake/flapjack recipe.  

Holly and the pie baking contest they’d been in, food was never wasted and there was always a reason for a potluck, even the music spoke to him more, he had a couple dozen new songs in his journal, and his old one now locked away after he found out his family had read it.  

Humming his song he sang a few of the still developing chords. 

Look at me, I’m way past pride  

Isn’t there some way that we can try  

To be us again  

Flinging the stone into the water he didn’t see or hear the critter coming up behind him until brushed against his back causing him to slip forward, eyes closed as he felt the familiar dread as the water moved under, he didn’t register until moments later he wasn’t falling but dangling.  

‘WHAT IS IT WITH YOU AND RIVER’S?’ Branch’s head snapped up, hazel eyes stared back at him, as a sharp tug reminding him, he was hanging over the rapidly moving waters.  

‘Hickory’ the name was a breath, he was here, in Pop forest, holding his arm, ‘your here’  

‘Branch, Lebes, I need to grab my hand, please Lebes help me here’ he quickly grabbed the other hand feeling the pull, it was  enough for him to get his feet onto the cliff edge and scramble as Hickory pulled.  

The result was he was laid on Hickory clinging to him as Hickory held him while he shivered, ‘ya know there are better ways to get back’ was mumbled into his hair.  

Pulling up Branch looked down into the whiskey and green eyes, ‘you’re really here’ he took a moment, ‘why?’. 

‘Because you are’ those three words gave him a little hope, he saw the necklace Hickory was wearing and the bead on it, his heart clenched with hope.  

‘I’m going to kiss you and then we are going to talk’ he nodded, flinging his arms around Hickory’s neck, crashing their lips together, ‘or you going to kiss me, that works too’, he smiled into it, humming pleased as the kiss deepened.  

When the pair finally pulled away from each other, Branch hand brought Hickory back to his pod, ‘it’s a little gloomy Darlin’ Hickory looked around the room seeing it was lacking any of the warm personal touches Branch has in the Flatts, in fact the entire thing screamed not cared for. 

‘Grandma says it has to get used to me, to grow to what I want it to be’ Hickory stepped behind Branch who was making some sweet tea, arms going around the soft belly, pressing the warm body against his chest.  

‘what you want it to be’ he pressed soft kisses to the shoulders moving the shirt to the side, Branch tilting his neck, letting him have more room, he felt the small swallow, ‘I want it to be warm’  

‘Yeah, what else?’ Hickory trailed his hands up slowly opening the buttons of a  familiar checked shirt, a small gasp made him smiled into the soft neck, ‘To wake up and see the sky for miles’.  

‘Mmm, you don’t really have a view here do you’ the shirt came off, turning Branch to face him, ‘I have a good view, sky for miles, warm room’  

‘yeah’ Branch whispered as Hickory brushed his nose against Branch’s before catching his lips, before pulling away, ‘there’s one thing missing’ pale blue hands had pushed his own vest off, ‘there’s so much missing here, but I didn’t think the one thing I want, would even speak to me, I owe him an apology’.  

Hickory lifted Branch settling him on the side, pushing between his legs, Branch’s arms around his shoulders ‘Hickory I’m sorry, I really am, I never meant to hurt you, I tried so many times, but your story, it shouldn’t have made a difference, I should have tried even harder to tell you every day’. 

Smiling at the apology Hickory pulled the blue troll into his arms tucking his into neck, ‘I forgive you, don’t do it again’ he nibbled at the thick muscle at the joint of the neck, ‘now about that warm room in my home, it’s missing something’ Hickory wrapped Branch’s legs around his waist, hands trailing under the firm butt, lifting his mate, and that’s what Branch was he was his mate, and Hickory prayed, ‘will you be the something that fills it, Branch will you allow me to court you-mpf?’ lips where pressed hard against his cutting him off as the ‘Yes, yes, yes please’ was muffled between each kiss.  

‘Hickory, can I come home, can I stay?’ the blue eyes pled with him, ‘you are never leaving my side again’ Hickory tumbled them on to the bed at the back of the pod.  

Their clothes disappeared quickly, as Hickory muffled the moans spilling from his Lebes, their bodies rubbing together, soft gasps of want and need between them, fingers slowly entering the blue body, as Branch’s back arched followed by a cry of pleasure, as he worked him slowly open, ‘that’s it Branch, you looks so beautiful, lebes, cum for me let me see you’. 

Branch’s body writhing on the bed as Hickory worked him higher, watching the blue contort in pleasure, ‘you take my fingers so well Branch, look at you, your doing so well’ Hickory curling his fingers had Branch stiffening, back arching beautifully, his little hole moving around his fingers, as he came with a silent cry and a small whimper, as Branch lay trembling against the sheets.  

Hickory pulling his fingers gently free of the now purring troll, the blue tipped tail which was around his arm, was now flicking contently against the bed. 

‘Branch’ Hickory lay next to the purring troll who was immediately was curling into his side and hold, face rushing his shoulder as a contented sigh left the blue face.  

‘Branch, Lebes’ a relaxed face looked up at Hickory who couldn’t help but drop a kiss getting a pleased hum in return ‘I love you Branch’.  

Hickory felt his cock throb, stifling the moan as Branch pulled upwards confused, before blushing, ‘Hickory’ the first touch of Branch’s hand had Hickory moaning he was hard just from watching Branch cum on his fingers, his own hand curling around Branch’s ‘don’t stop’ guiding the slightly smaller hand under his, Hickory moaning and panting he was close the only thing he knew that could have made this this better was being inside his mate, but he would wait, they were already bending courting rules.  

‘Hickory?’ the shy questioning tone had him looking a the blue troll who was biting his lip, shuffling and squirming slightly, his cock forgotten he pulled the blue into a deep kiss, which had them shifting Branch now straddling his waist.  

It was unexpected but Hickory wouldn’t say anything right now, the blue body was rocking against him with out thought, ‘Lebes steady now, what do you need beautiful, tell me’  

The blue eyes were blown and it seems he had throw  his mate into a mini heat, their meant they both wanted this, Hickory realised he was warm, and Branch was just as, grabbing the moving hips, Hickory had managed to still them enough to drawer Branch’s attention to him.  

‘No Branch, I know Lebes but I need you to focus for me’ he flipped them pinning Branch to the bed, ‘ Branch look at me’ the blue eyes snapped up the fog lifting enough, ‘what’s happening’  

‘Its a short heat Lebes, enough to let us know it what we both want our bodies are reacting to being together are pheromones aren’t helping none either’ Hickory want to take the neck into his teeth, tuck his nose into Branch’s neck where the scent would be second strongest, it seems his Branch was in the same state, ‘Lebes I need permission, I need your permission, I’ll leave’  this got a sharp cry, ‘no, no stay, don’t go’ shaking his head, Hickory caught the pleading lips stopping the crys.  

‘okay, okay I won’t leave, Lebes I need to know if you give me permission’ Hickory felt the hips twitching under him, ‘Lebes’  

‘Yes’  

This was enough Hickory attached his lips to Branch’s neck as Branch wrapped his legs around Hickory and hand slipping between them, ‘ya still so open for me’ trailing biting kisses across the trolls collar bone, Branch’s hands at his back, nails digging into him, the damn hips moving arching into his touch once more, as their lisp crashed together fighting, Hickory pulled away panting as Branch in a similar state clung to his arms. 

Guiding one of the legs higher on his waist Hickory slowly pushed into the panting blue troll, whose breath started speeding up the deeper Hickory pushed into him.  

Branch felt his tail lashing about, as Hickory was finally settled inside him, filling him perfectly, this was the feeling he was missing during his bloom, the need to be filled so well the toys he had didn’t reach the spots he needed them to.  

Hickory moved, as Branch clung to him the words between them were jumbled, words of love, desire, passion, as the kisses they shred ranged between tender and loving to dominating and passionate, but through it all Hickory made sure Branch never felt any pain. 

Until he felt it, ‘Branch’ looking to the whiskey eyes, the green practically gone from them, he nodded he wanted it even if it meant they would have an egg sooner, Hickory sped up, causing pleasure to race through him as fingers that were holding him moments before found his clit, stroking in time with each thrust, ‘give into it Branch’ that was it he fell, his body felt like a live wire has touched him, each thrust Hickory made sent sparks through his body, each touch set his nerves tingling, when he felt it the warmth flood his insides.  

Moaning at the feeling, Branch knew instinctively they wouldn’t create a egg not this time, he knew on their full mating, this was so they would sync up, letting their heats match properly they would have an egg. 

Hickory collapsed on top of him, but turning so Branch’s tail wouldn’t be trapped, they both let out contented purrs, nuzzling and cuddling each other happy in their little bubble.  

Branch blinked slowly, feeling comfortable in the pod for the first time, realising arms were holding him and the scent of winter and pine clung to him, the light filtering through the thin curtain, a loud bang had him looking around slightly, when it stopped, he smiled sleepy and nuzzled back into the warm hold of his mate.  

A lazy kiss to his head, had him humming, when the banging started again, grumbling from both, when his name was being yelled, ‘no, go away’ he groaned getting a chuckle as he pushed closer, arms tightening around him a little, ‘Darlin’ go answer before whoever it is caves the door in’  

‘No’ he batted the lime troll ‘hush pillow’ Branch smiled at Hickory, lifting his head resting his chin on the soft furred chest, eyes meeting the wrinkle Hickory gave at the next bang set them both laughing, trading small kisses as the banging got louder, dropping his forward ‘I have to get it don’t I’.  

Grumbling he pushed up only to be dragged back for welcoming kiss, ‘mmm I need to answer the’ Hickory’s tongue slipping into his mouth cutting him off, with a laugh, he loved this, he missed this and the kissing was a bonus, being held in Hickory’s arms, his tail flicking contently. 

‘BRANCH OPEN THE DOOR, GRANDMA WANTED YOU FOR BREAKFAST AND YOU MISSED IT’  

He felt his body flood with shock, ‘she’s going to kill me’ pushing upwards Branch quickly grabbed his robe he stopped at the room door, ‘I love you, pray for me’ he ran to the front door only to be pushed inside.  

‘Branch I can’t believe you missed breakfast, Grandma was really upset, and....what’s that smell?’.  

Branch froze at the question John asked ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about’, his tail twitching gave him away, ‘Branch’ the warning had him curling his tail slightly, he had become a lot closer to John after he moved here and found out his was a carrier himself.  

‘Johnny I’ll come over and apologise to Grandma’ he tried to nudge his brother out of his pod, ‘I need to get dressed’ he saw the ear twitch and John’s tail lash as he turned to the bedroom, ‘Branch, who’s in there?’ grabbing his brothers arm and linking their tails Branch tried to pull him back, away from the door, ‘Johnny do you want some coffee I can put a pot on’ he tried unaware this robe collar slipped down and John spotting the mark on his neck.  

‘What’s that’ a finger pressed against the bruise, as Branch pulled away cupping his neck, ‘nothing’ he squeaked, ‘Branch who is in there and do I need to kill them, scratch that I’m going to kill them for laying a damn finger on you’.  

‘Johnny, No, Please, nothing happened that I didn’t want’ he froze at the same time as John did at his words, ‘Branch’ the warning was there.  

‘Darlin’ Branch blanched as Hickory came out, sans shirt and buttoning his trousers, he pushed past John Dory quickly, ‘Johnny, this is Hickory, Hickory this is my oldest brother John Dory, who was just leaving to tell Grandma I’m going to come over soon’, he widened his eyes pleading John who was glaring at Hickory, to leave.  

He saw Johns tail lash twice, a sign he was unhappy, ‘Bring him to breakfast I’ll let Grandma know’.  

Branch sat at the breakfast table picking at his food trying desperately to ignore the tension, Hickory and himself at one side, his brothers glaring at Hickory from the other, his Grandma was at the head of the table quietly sipping her tea.  

‘Peachfuzz’ his head snapped to his Grandma, his hand squeezing Hickory’s under the table, ‘yes’ he winced at the raspy quality to his voice, ‘introduce me’, nodding nervously, ‘Grandma, this, this is Hickory, he’s my’ he looked to Hickory, who smiled at him nodding, ‘He’s my mate’ the growls from the other side of the table, ‘Boys’.  

‘I don’t see a courting bracelet’  

‘darn it’ Branch looked at his wrist as he heard a soft click, and straight back to Hickory, ‘sorry I meant to’, Branch’s smiled was blinding, as his colours came back full force, causing his brothers to gasp, Branch laughing into his arms knocking them over causing with a omfph, as the pair shared a kiss.  

‘I love you Lebes’ he smiled at the nuzzle he was given, laughing happily, ‘I love you too’. 

‘Branch’ he froze in Hickory’s hold, the lime trolls arms tightening, ‘Sorry Grandma’ he helped Hickory of the floor laughing as arms went around him kissing his shoulder, ‘show me’ he held his arm out.  

‘it’s beautiful peach, and you young man, thank you for bringing my baby’s smile back, don’t hurt him’ Hickory’s startled ‘yes ma’am’ made Branch laugh slightly squeezing his hand, ‘come here’ the pair were pulled into a hug, ‘I love baby and you take care of him’ they were let go smiling as they held each other’s hands, ‘Hickory, Branch, I want a letter when we can come visit I want to see your new home, and to the ceremony and I want to be there for the hatching of my first great grandpuppy’  

‘Grandma’ Branch and Hickory blushed, but smiled, ‘we wouldn’t have it any other way ma'am’ Hickorys arm around his waist his head resting on Hickory’s shoulder.  

It was six months later they were married in a simple ceremony in Lonesome Flatts, Delta officiating as Mayor, his Grandma in her best dress blowing her nose, and his new brother in laws cheering as Hickory dipped him earning cheers from the entire of the Flatts, Branch loved every minute of the day, he especially loved surprising his Grandma with the news he was carrying her first great grandpup.  

It was three months later he was crying as he was pushing his Grandma holding his hand encouraging him, until he was nestling his first egg in his arms, a swirling green and yellow egg with a pale blue base, stroking the little red tuff on top, ‘you did so well Darlin’ a soft kiss on top if his head.  

‘Its a beautiful egg Peach, it looks a little yours did, only you had blue swirls and a violet base’ he carefully passed the wrapped egg to his Grandma, ‘are you sure baby’ he nodded leaning into Hickory.  

It was two months of stress and carful incubation later a beautiful pair of fraternal twins were born from the one egg, not rare but not common.  

Baby Dawn and Baby Doc, red headed, their daughter was a soft yellow and their son a soft green, both of them giggling and curled into Branch’s hair heads poking out every so often.  

Making the visitors to their bar laugh as they popped out to say high or each taking a turn to help with the tills or handing out food or helping take orders.  

Hickory and Branch were happy as they laid together, on their porch swing, their pups dosing in their arms, ‘are you happy’ 

‘yes’  

‘I love you Hickory’  

‘I love you too Floyd’ Hickory got a soft hit for that, ‘Sorry Lebes, I love you too Branch’. 

‘we love Papa’s’ they laughed cuddling their babies before settling down watching the sun set on their porch.  

Chapter Text

Branch thrilled when his nest mates showed up their whistle alerting him, running into their arms they grouped around him, nuzzling and passing him around for hugs, before a group hug had them laughing.

‘Ready’ he nodded as they did their handshake, finishing in a loud ‘KISMET’ getting a laugh from the group.

After the performance the five wandered away from the larger group who were still partying, he smiled as Ablaze and Trickee grabbing his hands swinging them between them, as Boom and Hype ran in front of them, laughing as they went tumbling into the sand.

Branch loved being around them he didn’t need to be anyone else, be strong for someone else, they encouraged him to be himself, he crazy if somewhat obsessive self, and they loved him for it, he was the one to deep clean their shared pod, not that it wasn’t clean, he just felt itchy sometimes and needed to do something, other times he’d bake Ablaze and Boom being his taste testers after one to many name sake events, Hype and Trickee were his decorators, it was the little bit he hated doing and they loved it, or they would spend quiet nights curled around each other, making music, telling stories, pampering each other, or living on him, their words he has been without proper affection and they were going to make it up, at the same time understanding his boundaries and if it became too much.

Ablaze let go swinging the blue and gold glitter over his shoulders spinning them around resulting in shrieking as they were run into the obeez water, as Trickee wrapped his arms around Branch while they laughed at the trio, smiling Branch turning into Trickee's arms sighing happily as sun set around them, the warm sand under his feet, a soft nudge had him looking into the amber eyes, and getting a small peck and nuzzle.

‘We were so worried about you, we were on our way to Mount Rageous when we heard the news and saw the kiss’ Branch stuttered, ‘Trickee, I wasn’t expecting her to do that, I think she got the wrong idea, I did tell her I was in a relationship now and happy’.

Another sweeter kiss was placed on his lips stopping him with a blush, ‘we know Baby, and none of us are upset, we didn’t think you would do anything like that’ a hand rubbing at the band of his trousers, and a little possessive growl made him smile and a violet blush spread over his nose and cheeks, when Trickee’s hand slipped into the band pressing his hips against the orange trolls, who caught him in a comforting but deep kiss ‘Trick’s’ his knees shook, as he clung to the orange troll.

‘Baby, gorgeous’ Branch pulling away from the grumbling orange troll, looked the red head who caught his lips, in his own kiss, slightly more possessive but still equally comforting, remind Branch who his mates were.

‘Branch’ a hand brushing his belly which was Boom, he always enjoyed kissing or rubbing Branch’s belly saying it was wonderfully soft, as Hype was rubbing at his neck, kissing down across his shoulders, ‘you’re tense Beautiful’ a soft nuzzling at his neck.

‘You haven’t been taking care of yourself again B’ He whimpered not meaning to upset his mates, the small shift of his vest let him know the quartet were looking at his waist.

‘Baby you know you can’t stop eating, we won’t let you get to that stage again’ he nodded, his nest mates knew when he got really stressed, such as this trip, he stopped eating and taking care of himself, after the world tour they had to drag him into the nest and keep him there until they were satisfied he was a healthy weight again, they made him be lazy and more than once worked him into such a boneless state he didn’t want to anything more than lay content in their nest and be pampered and loved on.

They as a group wanted to try for a family but didn’t want to put stress on him, but mostly they wanted him healthy, Branch was the only carrier in the group, but was terrified his time grey wouldn’t allow him to carry or hurt their egg.

‘Come on, Jolly has been missing you’ he was brought to a blue and pink fuzzy striped tour bus who wiggled happily at its missing owner, before knocking him over snuggling into his chest and flopping on all fours causing Branch to groan at the weight, but be happy his bug had missed him.

‘I missed you too Jolly’ scratching at the fuzzy chin as Ablaze whistled, ‘good bug, come on up’ he was lifted by the blue and gold glitter trolls as he was squished between them, kisses peppering his cheeks, and he was guided inside the tour bug and to the back into the large bathroom, they splurged finding the larger bug and raising Jolly who was now a little spoilt, ‘let’s take these off beautiful, you’ll be good for us, let us take care of you’.

Branch sighed as he was placed in the warm, bubbly water, letting the heat seep through his bones as hands started working on his shoulders and neck, eyes slipping closed as Hype, he recognised the hands were working the knots and bubbles out of his back, gasping softly, Branch felt the tension popping from him, when Hype hit the worst part, Branch froze wanting to flinch from the pain, but soft words of encouragement were whispered, when he felt it, the band of tightness snapped, causing Branch to sink into the warm hands, which were now manipulating and kneading his body like dough, he started purring knowing only his four mates could bring this out of him, ‘that’s our beautiful blue’ his purring spiked at the name.

Soft kisses were placed on his lips as Branch blinking the drowsyness from his eyes, finding the soft grass green eyes and welcoming smiled of Boom, who had joined him in the water, he was being gently washed clearing the sweat and glitter from his coat, ‘lean back beautiful’ his head tilted back as Hype poured sweet scented water on his hair, followed by the homemade shampoo, something Branch to great pride in hand making for his mates, and so uniquely them, he was sinking deeper into relaxation his two mates were bringing, Hypes fingers massaging his scalp after he rinsed the shampoo out and Boom was, he gasped as a glittery hand went between his legs, ‘hush beautiful, let us take care of you’ he whimpered softly as Boom started to rub at clit, the water shifted as Hype joined them half behind him, hands reaching below the water to rub at his lower back and hips, occasionally dipping lower and teasing him.

‘look at him Boom do responsive, have you missed us beautiful’ Hypes hands were everywhere, as kisses were laid on his shoulder he turned, before he could say anything a moan ripped from his lips, his body arching into Boom's hand changed the pressure from light to a teasing pace, ‘Sit him against you Hyper, spread those legs for us beautiful’.

At Booms word Branch was lent back to chest against the blue glitter troll, whose hands were not idle and start rubbing at his hips, Hype working his way down to Branch’s thighs, lightly touching the sensitive flesh, drawing shivers and mewls from him, as muscles slowly gave to firm touch, ‘look at him Boom, he’s over sensitive to our touch, what’s happened beautiful’, Hypes question in his ear as he nibbled at Branch’s neck.

‘Missed you, needed you, I’m sorry’ Branch’s rushed answer came he sobbed softly, he hadn’t realised Poppy was going to kiss him, he loved his mates with his whole heart, he never meant for that kiss to happen, he hadn’t wanted it to.

The hands stopped moving, he cried a little harder apologising more, as he was brought between the two, ‘no, Branch’ Boom hands cupped his face pressing butterfly kisses over his face and on to his lips, ‘you did nothing wrong’ Hype turned his head catching his lips in a sweet but possessive kiss, ‘She should have never done that, we know you wouldn’t have wanted it to happen, we know, you don’t have to apologise’ Branch was held secure between the two as they offered comforting word of love and understanding, as his tears slowed, soft hiccups started, ‘what can we do, what do you want Branch’,.

The pair trapped him between them, their arms making sure he was safe and comfortable, Branch felt Hypes sheath pulsing under him, as Booms pressing against his front, whining Branch wiggled, ‘you’re supposed to be pampering him not making him upset’ Branch looked from his glittery mates to the orange and purple trolls leaning on the doorframe.

‘Blaze, Tricks’ Branch whimpering he wanted all four of his mates, ‘Baby what’s wrong, what happened’ the duo pushing of the door to join them, shedding their clothes as they went.

‘He’s apologising for her kissing him on stage’ Hype growled out, ‘we’ve told him it’s not his fault’ Branch felt a calloused hand turn his head, ‘Baby Blue, Trickee told you the same, we don’t blame you, none of use blame you,’ a purple thumb brushed his lip causing a small whine, as Ablaze laughed before taking control of the kiss he pressed on to Branch, who gasped under his touch.

‘Branch, what do you want?’ He was being nuzzled by all four of them settling him off purring happily, ‘I think we understand now, don’t we boys’ Trickee lifting their sweet blue mate into his arms, ‘let’s go pamper our Branch and show him how much we love him’.

The quartet patted their purring mate dry, each stealing a kiss and a nuzzle, ‘come one baby let’s get into our nest’.

Branch was settled in their travel nest, it was one of his favourite places, it always smelt of all of them no other scents as they were the only trolls allowed in Jolly, not even their manager was allowed in, Jolly was very particular about it as well and Ablaze and Trickee, being the senior mates of the group were the one who got final say, as we’re protective over Boom, Hype and himself

 Laid on his belly Branch was in heaven, Trickee was underneath him, nuzzling, kissing and praising him, every so often he would rub and tease his nipples, squeezing his flat chest, whispering how beautiful he looked writhing and arching on him, fingers tracing his open mouth, teasing his lips, as Branch gasping at the sensations run though his body started to suckle on them, he loved having one of his mates in his mouth some how.

Ablaze was between his legs lapping at his seam, working him open, his back arching at each movement, moaning, Branch was pushing back wanting more, he was getting closer, ‘cum for him beautiful, you know he likes when you do’ Trickee’s words hot in his ear, humming hard around he fingers, when Ablaze started sucking on his clit, fingers sliding and teasing slick soaked entrance as one, two, three fingers slid inside, nestling against his spot, he was feeling full but not as full as he was when one of them were fully inside mating him, the purple fingers curling individually and together causing Branch to mewl and writhe, as his body stiffening he couldn’t help it he started sobbing in pleasure as he came clenching the three fingers desperately trying to get them to give him what he needed, knowing it was impossible, as they tormented his spot and if Ablaze’s wicked smile against his clit was a thing to go by Branch would be coming multiple times tonight.

Whimpering pleased at the thought, Branch was brought back to the moment when he felt the teasing nibbles and hands of his glittery mates sweeping across his body.

Boom and Hype were tongue grooming him, normally reserved for bonding with pups or for injuries, and the pair declared he had emotional ones and started, after they finished pouting about not being able to be the ones to eat him out first, each pass of their tongues making him gasp and pant, as one finished licking up his spine the other had already started again, swapping keeping his hips pressed against Trickee’s moving ones, and as still as possible so Ablaze could work, but the pair knew both their senior mates loved when their Beautiful Blue showed his pleasure, in any way

Trickee was loving the attention Branch was giving his fingers, and Ablaze was causing him another problem, ‘guys wait’ the trio stopping their assault of their baby blue, the sound of pant and mewls coming from the blue troll laid on him were riling them up.

‘let me sit up’ they lifted their blue mate from Trickee who shuffled up their nest, ‘here Baby, rest your head here’, and orange hand ran through Branch’s navy hair, as he guide the relaxed troll between his parted legs onto the soft bit of his thigh, sighing as their baby nuzzled his cock, breathing him in slowly, purring starting up again.

‘Baby open your legs back up for me’ Ablaze went back to his previous task working open Branch’s seam, they needing their baby to be able to take them and the more relaxed Branch was the more comfortable he would be, the little jerks of Branch’s body told him he was doing his job right, but something was missing.

‘Ablaze’ he hummed getting a strong jolt making him smile, he pulled up looking at Hype, who wasn't looking him but at Branch and Trickee, Branch who was happily suckling at Trickee’s cock, ‘muses look at him, he looks so content’, he saw Hypes hand rubbing his cock in time with the little head bobs the blue was making.

‘Tricks, gorgeous, how’s he feel?’ Ablaze was watching them, and it was making the orange troll warm, as his hand was petting the blue troll soft hair, he told the group but made sure his Baby Blue knew he was talking about and praising him, ‘he’s perfect, he always is, aren’t you Baby’ blue troll hummed causing Trickee to moan feeling the vibrations, ‘muses Baby careful you know how I feel when you do that’, Branch suckled on him just a little harder in response, ‘Cheeky’.

Hype was palming his sheath his cock sliding out, ‘fuck Branch you look so beautiful’, his pale blue body wiggling between Trickee’s legs, ‘Boom’ the green eyes locked on to his own as the pair leaned over to kiss each other, their hand reaching to stroke each other’s cocks, as they alternated between fighting each other’s lips to rubbing down the blue troll with their leaking cocks and licking him clean again.

‘Baby’ Branch pulling away from his treat licking his lips, humming as the amber eyes looked at him, as a thumb was brushing over his swollen lips, ‘you look so beautiful’, he was about to answer, when Ablaze sucked at his clit, causing him to moan, and start sucking at Trickee’s fingers, ‘Oh Baby, you need this don’t you, you’ve missed us and with her kissing you, it’s made you doubt yourself and us’, Branch whimpered unhappy at Trickee’s words, he always knew how to get the words Branch needed out to the others.

The trio behind the blue troll listened to Trickee’s words and the pained whimpering from their pale mate, as they looked at each other, fury and sadness for what Poppy had done to upset Branch and sadness they truly hadn’t meant to stay away so long, because of Jolly taking an injury they couldn’t get back as fast as they wanted to, they had sent word but they has just missed Branch according to the Cooper and his Brother.

They weren’t happy when they found out Branch was reluctant to go but was guilt tripped and bullied into it by his brother and the Queen, they were furious when they saw her kiss him and his nervous face as his brothers cheered at it.

‘Branch we are sorry it took us so long to get you’ the blue troll whimpered harder at Booms words ‘Baby use your words for us’ Booms hand stroking his cheek, as he nuzzled the palm, purring.

‘Not your fault, I know, I saw Jolly’s leg, I’m glad you took care of him, would have hated to see him hurt more because of me’ Branch whispered nuzzling the glittery palm again.

‘Okay I think we need to stop, no Baby, we need to hold and scent you, make sure you understand, we don’t just want you for sex, you’re our Branch part of our family, our bonds are more than just mates Baby’, the group looked to him, blue eyes wide, staring at him over the pale shoulder.

Ablaze pulled himself up over Branch kissing up the pale spine making the troll mewl as he settled next to Trickee getting a quick peck, as they pulled Branch up to kneel in front of them resting their chests together, their lips nibbling and sucking at his neck.

Boom and Hype at Branch’s back, rubbing and scenting their beautiful blue, alternating between getting nuzzles in from their senior mates, and bringing Branch’s other, Hype pulling a bottle of lotion from his hair, placing a few pumps into his hand offering some to, Boom who got the same, they started working on their touch starved mate, drawing soft gasps again, and the worked the lotion into his back breaking the new tension in him, ‘beautiful you know we love you don’t you’ soft kisses were pressed to Branch’s spine, gaining a soft mewl as the purple and orange worked on his front again.

Boom was beyond worried for their youngest mate granted he was only a few months younger than Hype but his seemed so much older, and rarely let himself relax, today was the first time they’d seen him so happy since they left and his colours were dimmed, pressing a kiss to the available belly had Branch wiggle slightly.

Branch hated that he had upset his mates he hadn’t meant to, he was enjoying himself, and he was loving the tongue bath and Ablaze’s scruff between his thighs and sensitive skin, ‘Branch come back beautiful’ the ways they called him beautiful or baby, it made him feel warm because when they did it, he knew it came from a loving place and they were shortened nicknames, beautiful blue, or baby blue, he loved them, he looked into the warm purple and amber eyes, of the older pair of the group, ‘I love you’ he looked to the glittery pair who had been working on his legs and belly, grass green and silver eyes looked at him, he smiled softly, ‘I love all of you’.

They smiled at him, nuzzling him again, ‘what do you need Baby’, they looked to him as he purred and preening at the attention.

‘Love me’ they all cooed holding Branch between them, their hands finding a place to stroke.

Booms was nibbling on his ear, and whispering, ‘Who do you want first Beautiful and where?’ Branch gasped as the blunt teeth took his ear tip and nibbling and started sucking causing him to keen and press closer to Boom

‘Boom that’s hardly fair, you know how week Branch with his ears’ Ablaze stated rubbing behind the other one having the troll between them all purring and wiggling.

‘Please’ the small mewl, followed a by a gasp, as Hype’s hand snuck between his legs, fingers teasing at his entrance, ‘Hy..hype’ Branch pushing down to encourage the blue glitter troll to continue.

‘You three need to stop it’s Branch’s choice and what happened to we need to scent him and make him understand we don’t just want him for sex’ Trickee hated being the voice of reason but the three were acting like they hadn’t had sex in months, he cooed bringing Branch into his arms, ‘baby it’s okay, I know their just hormone driven and you looked so beautiful on stage, we can’t help it’ Trickee nuzzling against the soft blue face drew out a soft purr, he will admit they have all been missing their baby blue, and his little quirks, the small shift of the blue hips were not helping Trickees cause right now.

‘I want Hype and Boom’ hand started rubbing at Branch’s back again, trying to bring him between the gold and blue glitter trolls.

‘What else baby?’ Ablaze realised Branch wanted something else and cupping the round cheek ‘I want you and Trickee to touch me’.

‘We can do that’ Trickee nuzzling Branch’s cheeks dropping open mouthed kisses on the collar bone smiling as Branch shifted, ‘go one Baby Blue, there something else?’ he grinned when Branch whispering into his ear what he wanted, their sweet mate didn’t want to leave out his senior mates, looking to the wicked grin Abalzr had heard

Hype had slipped his hand between Branch’s thighs stroking once more, the little shifts were driving them insane, but they agreed long ago, when Trickee has to be the voice of reason, they listened Branch needed this he so rarely asked for what he wanted, they always make sure he gets it like this, and especially as he was pressured into seeing his brothers again, freezing Hype felt something near his lower back, dipping into his own entrance, rubbing slowly and pressing lightly until he relaxed taking the fingers which were slowly working him open, looking to his right at the short moan, saw Boom getting the same treatment from Trickee.

Boom was so ready to bring his beautiful blue into his arms, he was watching Hypes hand stroking and causing the most delicious shifts when, he felt it, Hypes hands were busy and Ablaze his hands were holding Branch and working Hype, looking up she saw amber eyes looking at him a teasing glint, which didn’t leave when he the orange troll kissed Branch’s cheek the, blue turning to look at him, slightly eyes sparking in a mischievous way, he could see the desire, he relaxed into the hand whose finger was rubbing and pushed back with a gasp taking the finger into him.

The orange and purple humming when the blue in the middles hands started palming them, using their pre cum to bring them even harder, as they rutted feeling the small bumps and roughness of Branch’s palms.

‘I thought we were taking it pairs’ Hype gasped out as he clung to Branch’s waist rubbing himself in time with Ablaze pumping, ‘oh you two are, we know you like to be together and our baby’ this got a kiss to the pale troll, ‘didn’t want you two to miss out on all the fun’

‘So’ Trickee’s voice rang out, ‘Branch wants us to mate you two, while you mate him, then Blaze, just like rainbow, and I will be mating Branch while you two watch’, Trickee moaned as Branch suckled at his neck, as Boom leaned forward their kiss sloppy and heated, drawing twin moans from the their counter parts.

‘Come on Rainbow, Beam, let’s put on a show for our Baby’ the pale blue was laid amongst the pillows as Ablaze and Trickee circled around his blue and gold mates.

Branch was panting as Hype eased down onto Ablaze, Branch reached for Hypes hand squeezing, as Boom took his other as Trickee bounced to gold troll in his lap, ‘Baby, your turn’.

Branch moaned as he straddled the four intermingled legs, hands immediately taking place on his body, Hype on his hips thumbs rubbing at his back, Trickee on his thighs, keeping him steady, Boom was on his belly cupping and stoking were the muscles were going taught, and Ablaze was holding his chest massaging and teasing his nipples, Branch could help the mewls, pants and gasps, it had been six weeks since he saw his mates felt them with him, and now feeling them touching him, loving him, he melted sinking gently on to Booms cock, feeling it filling him, catching the gold trolls lips in a slow kiss as Hype and Trickee rocked him slowly.

‘Muses look at you beautiful’

‘Boom’

‘he’s ready Hype, he feels amazing’

Branch tensing slightly as when felt another cock at his entrance, lining up with Booms, pulled out of the kiss he was sharing with his gold rainbow, as hands rubbing gently at his hips reminded him what he wanted, ‘relax Beautiful’.

 Branch whined slightly it had been a while since he had taken two of his mates at the same time, but when Hype was settled inside him he felt his mind slowing down, his only focus right bow was to feel, his mates be here with them, he heard the whispered conversations, but the was too distracted by the hands moving across his body, until someone moved, and he was clinging to the hands, whimpering and crying out in bliss, as one was pulling our the other was pushing in, meaning Branch was never left empty for longer and moment, until all too soon he felt them all thrusting at the same time as he screamed as they came in side him, flooding him, as he came trembling in their hold.

‘That’s it beautiful, you just breath’ Branch mewled as he was scented, he loved being scented after this, ‘My Boom, My Hype’ he was cuddled between them, ‘That’s right put Branch, Yours’, being slowly lifted off the pair of glitter trolls and laid back amongst the pillows and blankets of their nest. Branch moan at the loss of touch and closeness, be purred when he remembered his two senior mates had yet to take him, but as he saw the two he was fascinated, as Boom and Hype were being fucked harder and faster than when he was in-between them, their faces contorted in pleasure as they were crying out.

He watched eyes darting quickly not wanting to miss a second as the previously flaccid cocks of his Boom and Hype were filling again, his fingers sliding between his slowly parting legs started rubbing at his swollen clit in time with Trickee and Ablaze’s speed, ‘Look at that our Beautiful Baby Blue is putting on a show for us’ Branch looked half lidded at Ablaze, who slowed down causing Branch to copy the quartet gave a soft chuckles followed by moans of want as Branch arching his back showing them his leaking entrance mewling as he pulled away, hand splaying over his belly.

‘MUSES, SHIT’ Trickee finishing quickly at the sight of Branch arching and Boom flexing around him, his teeth sinking into the glitter trolls gold neck as Boom came into his hand, Trickee grunted giving his final few pumps, before carefully pulling out, catching the bitten lips they traded lazy kisses, as he guided Boom into Branch side the pair immediately clinging to each other, sharing lazy kisses, Trickee was already getting hard seeing the dazed look in Hypes eyes as he watched, their rainbow and baby blue.

Ablaze’s teeth were latched firmly on Hypes neck as he growled looking feral, his own amber eyes snapping to Boom who was lazily rubbing at Branch’s belly and whispering in his ear, getting soft mewls with little body shakes.

‘what are you saying to him Boom’ a particularly sensual rub had Branch wiggling.

‘I was just telling him how pretty he would look, round with our pups, laid in our nest surrounded by our scent’ this set Branch purring, while reaching out for Trickee, who was ready and hard again at just the description.

‘muses Tricks gorgeous, just love on him, I don’t want to hurt him’ he didn’t need to be told twice, ‘come here Baby’ he brought the blue troll into his arms settling him on his lap, ‘Tricks’ Branch was rubbing up against his front and onto his cock ‘I want that, I want that’ Trickee was in bliss right now the way Branch was moving up on him,

‘Trickee, gorgeous, he looks so good, he would really look so pretty in our nest, in our pod, on our arms, our little ones filling him, we’d give you as many as you want baby, you know you would only have to ask’ Trickee saw and heard Hype finally orgasm the second time, Branch looking over his shoulder, ‘Blaze’ the soft whine had Trickee smiling, ‘I’m coming baby, take care of Trickee for us, I need to look after our boys’,

Ablaze lay between the two glitter trolls who were happily cuddling into him as he rubbing up their back as they watched the orange and blue trolls making love, he knew their arrangement was unusual.

They were both partnered up before Branch, Hype and Boom were together and he and Trickee, and something had clicked at one of the parties when they ended up in one nest making out and loving on each other, that they became a foursome, but it was a unusual day they were having a break, they had been fighting over a song, and decided to take a break in the woods away from pushy princess and her annoying band of misfits, who seemed to have annoyed their resident grey troll.

‘he’s cute for a grump’ Boom whispered keeping his voice down, they all knew the story about Branch and his greyness, they actually paid attention, Trickee pushed up, ‘im going to check on him, he did seem really upset this time’ they all nodded, following the trail Branch took, it was worn from use, it was nice, the coolness breeze, leaves creating shade but still letting the warmth if the sun through, but what shocked them was the end, a small private space, with a grey and green blob knelt in front of the water, tear tracks down his face as he occasionally rubbed his cheeks.

Trickee pushing away from the group and knelt quietly next to the troll, who gasped and scrambled away, ‘Hey, hey I’m not going to do anything, you’re okay, I’m Trickee, I just wanted to make sure you were okay, you seemed’

‘Why do you care, you don’t know me’ the grey troll snapped at his mate and got up, and turning facing them, Ablaze was stunned at the blue eyes staring back, ‘you don’t need to be angry with him, he really did just want to make sure you were okay, the namaste brat and the princess seemed to be more annoying than usual’

This seemed to stun the gray troll, ‘I’m sorry, I just’ the small shoulders sloped down, ‘I’m sorry Trickee, It’s just been a day’ he was brought into a small hug by their rainbow, ‘we heard’ Boom backing off even if the smaller troll seem to not want to be let go.

‘would you like to join us, we won’t ask you to sing, we just want to make sure you’re okay’ it was this offer that set on this path now.

‘Mmm’ Ablaze eyes refocused as Branch arched, his spine curving beautifully, Trickee’s hand splayed across his hips the vibrant orange of Trickee’s fur standing brightly against the pale blue, their baby so beautiful his little body, his mind, his skills he was the missing piece to their band and their family.

Ablaze moaning himself from Boom and Hype who were lapping at his chest, their hands around his cock workijg him back to full hardness, which drew the blow blue eyes to him, the open mouth begging for something to fill it, ‘Cum for Trickee Baby, let us see you’ the blue head fell back in a silent cry, the stomach contracting as Trickee’s lips wrapped around the blues nipple leaving a claiming bite, watching him slum against the orange cooing in dazed pleasure. The small belly looking a little fuller, a little rounder, Ablaze could already imagine the blue carrying their pups.

‘Blaze’ Branch was being held up by Trickee, Boom and Hype, ‘lay him down, how are you feeling Baby’, he got a soft coo, Ablaze rubbed his fingers between the parted thighs, sticky with cum and slick, moaning at the knowledge his stunning mates had filled the troll had sliding into waiting body and arms, pale arms immediately circling his neck as Branch clung to him, mewling into his ear, it wasn’t going to take him long to finish, his baby was already contracting and overly sensitive, nipping the curved ear, ‘last one baby come for me, you want to, don’t you’ he could feel the looseness the cum easing his way, as he fucked it deeper into the troll, ‘that’s it’ Branch caught his mouth in a messy kiss, he was weak, dazed and ready, ‘cum for me baby now’ Ablaze pushed in one last time making sure to fill Branch with his last load the fluttering hole squeezing valiantly, as the blue troll passed out.

‘Good boy’ Ablaze pecked the still lips pulling out gently.

Branch woke slowly with a moan, a warm cloth passing over his body, ‘hey beautiful’ a straw was pressed to his lips, as word of encouragement were given, ‘slowly beautiful’.

‘no’ he moaned as the cloth went between his legs, he was sore and boneless, a warm laugh, as a kiss was pressed to his head, ‘we know Baby no more, you were so good for us’ the cloth passed over the sensitive part of his body sending a shiver, ‘all done B’ a blanket was laid over him as he snuggled against the warm body next to him.

‘Hey Baby, come back to us’ something was pressed against his lips, opening he took the fork of food, humming at the taste, ‘small bites, Branch’ a hand rubbed at his belly trying to ease the ache he felt, as another fed him slowly, while another offered him drink.

‘let’s let him sleep’ Branch hummed in agreement, ‘hold me’ was nuzzled and scented as tongue started to pass over him once again easing his muscles and making him, sleepier and start purring, he was surrounded by his mates love and affection, he was safe here in their arms.

‘Sleep Branch, you are safe’

He heard it and felt it Jolly was getting agitated which meant someone was trying to get near his door, ‘BRANCH, BRANCH COME OUT BROTHER’ wincing as went to move a hand came to his chest ‘it’s okay baby stay here’ Ablaze he got a peck as the purple troll moved from the bed, he snuggled back down as Boom pulled him into his chest with a quiet sigh, he went back to his rest, bed dipping as the cool body of his mate laid against him roused him a little, ‘sleep’ a soft kiss and he fell back quickly.

When he was finally awake, he was scented fully causing him to purr once again, ‘we love you our beautiful baby blue, our Branch’.

They made their way from Jolly who wagged happily as Branch hugged the stripy critter, ‘Come you spoiled thing walkies’ they all laughed as their bug danced around them, Boom and Hype had him this time their arms wrapped around him, in the guise of a hug but was actually to keep him steady on his wobbly legs, they had worked him over well, and he wasn’t complaining.

Ablaze and Trickee had each other close keeping an eye on their mates, while whispering.

‘BRANCH’ a loud cry came from the beach, at the same time Jolly started growling at the sound, stopping the Queen in her tracks, as she backed away slightly, ‘Branch I missed you, and I forgive you for not telling me about KISMET, this is so cool, why didn’t you tell me about this, we could have the at the wedding with Brozone’ this got a round of angry growls, from the four who were now standing protectively around their mate.

Boom whispering into Branch’s ear as Hype nodded, as the glitter troll stayed with Ablaze and Trickee who had their arms crossed, while their pale blue mate was escorted away and to a small area which Jolly had circled around as a good spot to rest.

Branch lay between the open legs his back to Booms warm chest, the glittery hand splayed and stroking his belly once more, trading lazy kisses, when a soft warble had them pulling away, ‘hey girl, Boom this is Rhonda, Rhonda this is one of my mates Booms and this is Jolly’ Branch started laughing as the critters started circling and then romping in the sand and water.

‘He’s going to sleep tonight’ this got a laugh from them both, ‘come here you’ Branch gasped into the kiss as Boom deepened it, a whistle had them break apart, ‘don’t stop on out account’.

They were surrounded pretty quickly, as everyone wanted to hold or kiss him, it was over quickly as they settles in a small pile, watching Jolly romp with Rhonda in the water.

‘I love you guys.’

Chapter Text

‘Just something me and my mates were working on’ Branch smiled as he rubbed his hands together, he never thought using that song would be the thing to save his brother, but when he needed it he drew strength from the words and it wasn’t like he was imagining Brozone when he sang it all he could hear was Kismet.

His ear twitched as a familiar whistle caught his attention, his tail automatically swaying in time, when he was scooped and spun before being passed around in firm but comforting hugs, finishing on a group hug his tail wagging happily as he finished in a hug pile.

Discreet kisses were placed on his cheeks and lips, as hands circled his waist earning some unhappy rumbles, the pain of being the only omega in the group was that he was doted on and it was noticed when something was wrong because of his past of being grey.

‘We will discuss this B’ a soft voice whispered unhappy, his tail dropped a little as he nodded, ‘I know’ Branch hadn’t meant to stop eating, but the stress, seeing his brothers, the rescue, it was all too much, the glittery blue owner of the voice just hugged him again, ‘we were worried this might have happened, so we loaded Jolly with your favourites from Volcano and Vibe city before getting back, you know we only want talk before you get into, your spiral’.

A soft nuzzle as Boom held him closer, ‘it’s because we care B, that’s all, remember what Wave said’ Branch nodded, ‘I made note to talk to her as well, when I had the chance’ this got a new round of cuddles and soft praise his tail curling in contentment.

‘Er, Branch want to introduce us’, he looked over Ablaze's shoulder, before wiggling out of the group huddle, as his brothers all looked confused at them, ‘guys these are my mates, Ablaze, Boom, Hype and Trickee’ he got nuzzles and responded by purring happily, ‘my loves, these are my brothers, John Dory or JD, Spruce now Bruce, Clay and Floyd’ a tail linked with his as he saw the small flash of purple he realised it was Trickee, he gave a small smile and nodded, a little signal they’d come up with in case any of them got overwhelmed, the small hand gesture let them know he was close to being so, but he would hold until they were alone.

The shocked looks on his brothers faces had him uncomfortable, feeling a tail linked with his ‘come on B we need to get ready’ Ablaze’s hand pressed him back into his chest.

After he was brought into their tour bug Jolly who gave him a overly enthusiastic greeting, Branch stared at the mirror distracted by his thoughts, ‘Hey Beautiful, are you okay?’ his gold mate stood behind him rubbing his shoulders, melting under the touch Branch hummed it felt nice after the last week, ‘Baby?’

‘Sorry, I’m just tired’ Ablaze appeared at his side, ‘it’s okay, we can take you back to the village, tuck you into our nest, you can choose between your bunker or our pod’ Branch huddled into Ablaze’s side at the suggestion, as Boom nuzzled his cheek, ‘Ablaze’s right B we don’t have to stay’.

‘I promised LaBreezy and Brandy, they’re looking forward to this’, their tails joined, ‘we love you Branch, and I’m sure your sister-in-law and niece would understand if you’re not feeling well’ hands leaning him back, against a warm chest, which Branch knew was Trickee, who was rubbing behind his ears, shivers running through his body it was one of his sensitive spot.

‘Their right beautiful, our comfort comes first remember and you would be the first to say stop if it was one of us’ Hype appeared with quick peck to Trickee and a nuzzle to him, Branch sigh he knew they were right, but his mates needed the rest he was fine, missing the looks around him, ‘how about we post pone just for tonight and re-evaluate tomorrow after we’ve had a good night’s sleep’ the group nodding was the thing that got him, ‘can I call Wave?’ he saw the pleased smiles, ‘tomorrow, tonight we’re going to get in our nest, I’ll be right back I’m going to explain to our hosts about postponing for tonight and tomorrow we’ll put on a show for they won’t forget’ nodding at the idea, Branch watched as Ablaze left leaving him alone with the three alpha, who’s were grinning at him..

It wasn’t long and Branch was belly down, rocking with Hype between his legs lapping at his seam and Trickees cock in his mouth, moaning at the triple sensations and Boom was tongue grooming, paying a particularly large of attention to the bruising around his ribs and hip.

‘I was gone for twenty minutes and you have this bug smelling like Branch’s in full heat, he’s supposed to be resting’ came the amused voice from the door way, Ablaze’s eyes sparking with lust and amusement as he watched the trio bring their omega pleasure.

‘Our Branch is resting, we’re pampering him, and the most Branch’s doing right now is enjoying our loving touch, isn’t that right Baby, he’s happily taking our love he doesn’t even have to move’ Boom stated going back to the task of soothing the pale blue troll.

‘And to be fair ‘Blaze, Branch is enjoying himself aren’t you beautiful, you know he likes this’ Trickee cut off with a long moan, as Branch suckling hummed sending vibrations down the hard shaft, while Hype humming their song into Branch’s clit had the blue body arching in a delicious way the curved blue hips moving faster at Hype's further teasing.

‘Okay budge over, after this orgasm, I’m serious guys, Branch rests, we get in the nest, hold each other, scent, snuggle and definitely get some heavy petting, but we are not having sex tonight as much as we want it’ cupping Branch’s jaw he lifted the former grey troll from Trickees cock, offering his own as Boom took over sucking the amber troll, while said troll catching Branch’s swollen lips in a soft kiss.

It had taken a little to convince his fiery alpha but Branch was finally content, he had been able to have each if his alphas cocks in his mouth, they had groomed each other Branch being the main one groomed until he was a boneless, purring puddle in their nest, he was settled in his favourite spot his head on, Ablaze this times, chest his alphas surrounding him rumbling, as they touched him some where his tail curling around Trickee’s arm while he was stroking down his back.

Humming content, nudging Ablaze’s arm gently getting a low chuckle as the purple troll started rubbing his fingers through his hair, Branch was happy, he had all this and more, his hand sneaking to the hidden secret nestled safely in his belly, this was all possible because of a little persistence and a flower.

Brushing his cheek against his purple alpha, he closed his eyes, Branch smiling softly enjoying the rumbles around him as he drifted, yeah, he thought, this was exactly what he had always wanted.

Stupid, he thought rushing away from the village with his meagre trades, he had heard them all laugh, his work brought in a lot of business but he wasn’t being given his share, Branch didn’t want money no he needed supplies, his heat was coming soon, and he his nest was in shambles the fabric wasn’t right, the pillows worn and all because he was grey.

He froze, sitting there at the entrance to his bunker was a basket, a large very over stuffed basket, with four different coloured ribbons attached, wary of such things, too many glitter explosions, he pulled one of the sharpened sticks from his hair and poked it hard, when nothing happened, Branch made his way gingerly over, in case of a delayed reaction, when he saw it the fabric he had been eyeing for weeks, reaching out he plucked it moving away he say his tail curling around him, his hand caressing the blot, shaking Branch flicked it out, the amount had his eyes widening as he curled it around himself, rubbing his cheek against it, it was perfect, soft on his cheek and body.

Eyes darting around, he didn’t want anyone to take it away now he had it, looking at the basket he wasn’t sure but he recognised the colours, every troll had their own unique one, his wasn’t grey like everyone thought it was a blend of royal blue and ultra violet, he just hadn’t had cause to use it, not for a long time, so why were these giving him the fabric he so desperately wanted.

Shuffling he folded the fabric carefully he didn’t want to ruin it, he looked at the basket and blushed, it was everything he wanted for his pre and post heat, the flowers he had for the rub he made, the post heat soak he preferred, even down to his favourite dark chocolate fudge and honeycomb sweets, his mouth watered when he saw the pastries, he could smell the chocolate from where he stood.

His tail wagged in anticipation, he saw a small envelope tucked in the basket, biting his lip he really needed to get back inside, his ear flicked something snap, grabbing the basket he tucked the fabric into the basket and brought it inside the first layer.

Head poking up he looked around, seeing nothing Branch ducked back inside locking the door firmly behind him, he didn’t want disturbing while he went through his heat.

Four days later Branch had gone through hell with this heat but the flowers and soak were wonderful against his aching muscles all he wanted to do now was lounge it his nest and let the oversensitive feeling leave him, it was times like this when he did want an alpha to sooth the aches he felt.

His ear and tail twitched when he heard a rhythmically knocking, it wasn’t the princess or anyone he recognised, grumbling he pulled his moss robe over his body, it was soft and didn’t irritate his skin.

Poking his head up through the hatch he caught the curly end of a gold and powder blue puffed tail, it was the owner of the rainbow ribbon.

Spotting the other basket this time filling with badly decorated cookies and plain vanilla cupcakes, it made him smile slightly, but the frown pulled at his face quickly, why were they doing this, he brought the basket inside and went back to his nest munching on the cookies.

It had been three months since they left the fabric outside the bunker door, they had each taken turns leaving baskets, and each time they were taken and a basket was at their door the next day filled with homemade items, soaps, teas, coffee, sweet and savoury treats, there was a particularly memorable occasion where some wonderful warm winter coats and a beautifully crafted winter blanket was left for them, each basket held Branch’s personal ribbon, and it was a stunning colour, the quartet had seen it once on a thank you gift which was left to Booms uncle, Ablaze was wearing his as the weather was turning getting ready for winter and it just so happened to be a blustery day,

and now here the grey troll, they each had a small section of the beautiful blue ribbon the grey troll had left on the small basket he had returned.

Ablaze watched the sweet grey omega wandering around the market, trolls avoiding him, the swish of the grey tail which quickly curled around Branch.

He was going to do it, Ablaze made his way over standing next to the sweet-scented troll, ‘Blueberries are nice’ he mentally hit himself, as Branch looked at him startled, ‘Sorry, erm I’m Ablaze’ he thrust his hand forward, making the troll look at him overly suspicious.

‘I know who you are, I know who you all are, the thing I don’t understand is why you’re following me, why you're all leaving things for me, what do you want from me, to make fun, for a laugh’ , Ablaze shouldn’t be as aroused as he was but the omega was a firecracker but the words he was using cut into him, ‘nothing, no, nothing like that, we gave you those things because we wanted to, and as a chance to maybe court you, to show we are serious, we don’t want to hurt you, we just want to get to know you, truly’.

‘You’re lying’ Branch backed away from him, ‘look thank you, for the sweets, for the fabric’ the grey trolls voice became soft as he spoke, Ablaze went to put a hand out the troll’s arm only for Branch to pull away, ‘but I’m not worth the effort all of you are putting in, but can you please stop, its, its making me, look please just stop’.

Ablaze’s tail dropped as the grey troll started to leave, before walking back to him, his tail curling as his fingers curling nervously, watching the grey troll Ablaze rumbled in shock as the troll gave him a quick, blink and you miss moment kiss on the cheek, ‘thank you for the fabric’ he watched the omega rush away.

His mates came up next to him, hands finding his ‘Blaze’

‘We need to follow him’

Pacing was a good past time, Branch was in his little garden, his safe space away from the village, away from all of the noise and alphas who were pushing him saying if he was mated, he would be happy.

It’s not that he didn’t want to be happy, he wanted to be, but he couldn’t let anyone close, bad things happen when he did, he didn’t see the small plant that had sprouted in his garden until he tripped over the root, and was covered in something.

His body started heating up, his heat was starting in a few days, this however felt different, and so good the heat from the sun over his body, the fabric felt wrong against his skin, he needed everything off a hand touched his shoulder, the cinnamon scent wrapping around him, ‘oh little one’ he purred at the touch it felt so good, so safe.

A hand tilted his chin up, warm eyes looked into his, ‘alpha’ another hand touched his back turning into the hold the gold alpha with green eyes, cooing, he reached out the palms on his face were soft as lips ghosted over his face, ‘your so beautiful’ his breath hitching, looking around he felt something holding his tail, a soft brush on his back, the aqua eyes staring at him full of warmth, ‘hello pretty one’ Branch took the offered hand stumbling as he was tugged into a warm hold, he gasped as something was draped over his shoulders, clutching in closer Branch turned, the purple haired troll finished covering him, was it wrong, ‘No sweet omega, you’ve done nothing wrong, but someone could take you from us’, the worry in the orange alphas voice made him gasp, looked around and realised this wasn’t his bunker or nest, he brought the fabric closer.

‘No’ the amber eyed troll cradling him hummed pleased Branch nuzzled the warm cheek ‘no I don’t want another’ he liked these alphas, they took care of him during his heats, the made sure he had food and drinks, the soft fabric he had been working hard to get, which now lined his nest, the scented ribbons, he wore them around his wrists during his last two heats.

‘mmmmm, alpha’ Branch felt an all too familiar feeling, the ache in his hips had him, wiggling slightly, ‘Oh little one’ he was taken from Alpha Trickee into Alpha Ablaze’s arms, settled against his hip his legs automatically wrapping around the toned waist, the ache was getting stronger, ‘little one, we need to get you inside’ Branch heard the words, inside was good, inside was safe, Inside meant the alphas would be with him, he rocked a little hearing the soft laughs, ‘mm, inside is good, with alphas?’, Branch mewled, his tail curling, a hand cupped his bum, causing a thrill to run up his spine, it needed to go lower the ache was getting heavier.

Nuzzling the cheek of the purple Alpha, Branch tried to rub against the purple, when he felt something at his back, running upwards, his ear drooping in pleasure he couldn’t help it, the itchy feeling he was getting was being soothed by the alphas tongue, the warm rumbles echoing around him

 ‘He’s so responsive’ Branch was in too much bliss, the sheet had been taken away, where was it, and he realised he wasn’t in outside anymore, he was laid belly down in a very comfortable nest, it smelt like the alphas, and he could smell a hint of his own, this wouldn’t do, he began rubbing his own scent on to the fabrics, mingling them properly, pleased with his work, he laid back down kneading the big pillow he had found.

The ache between his legs had shifted it was now a wave if warmth, the alpha who had soothed him, he wanted him back, rocking his hips against the pillow wasn’t working, ‘Beautiful Branch’.

Eye hazy he looked at the glittery blue troll who was next to him, and crawled into his lap, his tail curling out of the way as he presented with a whine, he wanted.

A hand on his face pulled him from the thoughts of mating just enough, ‘please, the flower, please, I consent’ this seemed to spur the alphas into action, the amber orange troll had him straddled on his lap, mouth attached to his, as he swallowed every moan and gasp.

The glittery blue and gold trolls were licking him, he was being soothed on such a level, he hadn’t felt since he was a pup, the alphas were bathing him, nipping at his body, managing his temperature, and bringing him comfort.

And the purple and red alpha, was between his legs his tongue lapping at his seam, relaxing it fully the way only a proper alpha could.

Choking back a cry as his seam relaxed fully under the Ablaze’s touch, Branch’s body arched as the steady stream of his slick finally started.

‘Steady beautiful’ he whimpered they had been calling him Pretty and Beautiful, but he was grey, Branch realised quickly and tried to pull away, not knowing he had spoken out loud.

Hands immediately found Branch’s body, stroking and petting, as each of the alphas were nuzzling, kissing him, it sent his inner omega preening, as the whispered words of praise and love accompanied each kiss.

‘Branch you are beautiful to us, no matter your colour, we want you to be happy but only when you are ready’.

The words washed over him, comforting him, ‘alphas please, can you’ Branch felt his face being cradled once more, as the soft feather light kisses were dropped over his face before being brought into a sweet kiss, ‘yes beautiful’.

Branch was laid once more against the largest pillow in the nest, the four alphas surrounding him, he needed to wiggle, Ablaze had relaxed his seam so much he could feel his slick and the heat coursing through his body once more had him writhing, his tail lashing and curling, his hands found his clit, and rubbing he could feel the heat calming as the pleasing feeling curled through him.

Large hands rested on Branch’s thighs making him pause and whine in his actions, the orange and purple haired troll was knelt between his legs, ‘Trickee’ Branch whimpered as calloused fingers put light pressure on his swollen clit, moving in slow circles, his body pressing into the touch.

‘Trickee, can we please’

‘Alpha please, look at him’

‘just let us touch him, he wants don’t you baby’

The last question was directed at him he looked at the pleading alphas, ‘Alpha Trickee please, ah’ the fingers slide lower circling his entrance, dipping in, it felt good to the grey troll, as the finger curled his back lifting as Branch tried to push the orange finger deeper to chase the pleasure it had given him.

‘TRICKEE’ the trio called getting a wicked chuckle, ‘sorry my loves, I was getting carried away’, the alphas shared a small peck each before turning to the grey troll whose blue eyes had dilated until they were nothing more than a fine blue ring.

The quartet looked at each having a quick conversation with their eyes, before pinning their sweet omega with their eyes, Trickee moved first settling against the plush back, their Branch would be kept on the pillow for now it would be comfortable for him later.

Spreading his legs Trickee settled Branch between his legs, the grey head on his thigh, taking in the confused grey face, caressing the soft, flushed cheeks and pouting, bitten lips, before placing a delicate kiss on them, ‘pretty boy’ watching Branch preen under his words as they rubbed noses together, ‘you’ll be go for us won’t you’, this got a soft keen which pleased them.

Ablaze had returned to his spot between the parted grey legs, it was agreed between all of them he would be the one to bring Branch through his first non penetrative orgasm to relax the sweet omega, they all agreed it would be Hype first as while he was the same age as Ablaze he was the smallest, but the thickest and would be perfect for their Beautiful Blues first time, nipping at the plush inner thighs Ablaze felt his sheath relax, as his cock hardened pushing through, imagining Branch’s legs wrapped around him, his face buried into the sweet scented pussy in front of him, tasting him straight from the source.

Boom was delicately tracing nonsensical patterns on Branch’s body, enjoying the shivers and light trembles he was causing, the soft shifts and the slight sheen of the over heated skin he looked to Hype who was equally teasing, the grey beauty laid out for them. Aqua eyes full of lust and want darted to his own, which he was sure were matching, leaning over Boom caught Hype in a tender kiss, their tongues meeting, soft words caught their ears, ‘look how beautiful they look sweet one, how they take care of each other, it will be how we take care of you’.

Hype kept his head close to Boom as they looked at their new mate, ‘hello beautiful’ his and Booms linked hands, resting over the heat skin, feeling the rapidly thumping heart under them, ‘what happened here’ the soft touch on Branch’s shoulder had him wiggling, away the bruise was a vivid mess, ‘beautiful’.

‘Alpha’s please, hot, too hot, please’ the small cry had them reacting.

‘PLEASE’

Ablaze didn’t need to be told twice he was, working tasting the sweet slick from the source, his tongue working into the soft cavern as Branch was clenching the velvety walls around him, hips wiggling, Ablaze decided then and there he could die a happy troll if this was the way he could go surrounded by his mates, Hype and Booms hand in his hair, Trickee staring at him, Branch crying and writhing in pleasure from his tongue, his own red tipped tail finding the grey trolls and linking with it, the steady stream of praise, and then ‘Look at him beautiful, are you enjoying the feeling’.

Ablaze gave a hard suck, getting a mewl of pleasure ‘why don’t you let go and let our fireball have what he wants sweet one, cum for him let him see how you enjoy him’, the cry and wiggle had Ablaze slipping two fingers inside the leaking entrance to replace his tongue, he pulled away, wanting to see Branch come undone, curling his finger Ablaze found the one spot which made the omega scream, ‘ALPHA’ body arching upwards, the plush thighs he was holding open over around his shoulders, the heels digging to him trying to pull him closer.

Ablaze growled as he lent forward kissing up the contracting belly, growls intermingled with the pleased rumbles of his mates.

The quartet watched their new mate, his body trembling, his chest moving in shallow breath, they had all be on the other side of Ablaze’s talented tongue, seeing it done to the grey omega was different, they had gotten distracted at the way Ablaze was moving and then the way Branch was crying, they had forgotten to touch the sweet creature.

‘He’s burning up’ this had them snapping to the purple troll, ‘Hype’ hands were caressing the plush thighs and curved belly, drawing soft whines and light chuffs from the grey omega, ‘he’s ready for us’ Ablaze trailed kisses up the grey body until he was looking into the hazy blue eyes, catching the pliant lips in a slow teasing kiss as he felt Hype shift, Ablaze taking his place next to the grey troll.

‘You respond so well Baby’ nuzzling the pale cheek getting a soft purr, when the grey body arched, Branch keening in pleasure, causing the red eyes to snap to the blue glitter troll.

Hype had been unsure of the plan to woo Branch at first he seemed unapproachable, but soon after he became something different when he saw the kindness, the gruff exterior was a mask, something to hide the pain and hurt he felt when he was treated as less than a troll, it made Hype want to offer Branch the love he deserves.

Pressing soft kisses over the purplish marks Ablaze had left Hype tucked his nose into the damp seam, taking a small taste from the leaking entrance, Branch was distracted by Ablaze and Hype wanted his attention for what he was about to do, seeing the kiss break he took his chance, a soft kiss to the soft lips and Hype slowly guiding himself into the welcoming heat, causing the omega to keen and arch, when he came to the one spot which proved Branch a truly innocent creature.

The blue eyes fixed on him, panting, the little body shaking ‘alpha’ he nodded slowly, as tears gathered and were wiped softly away by Boom and Trickee.

‘Hype, what?’ he heard the questioning tone, and looked up briefly, ‘he’s untouched’ the trio looking at him gasped looking down, the grey omega was whimpering and wiggling.

‘Alpha’ the pained whisper had Hypes attention back on Branch, ‘this will hurt beautiful, only for a moment I promise’ the grey troll looked scared as Hype pulled back and thrust, the gasp that followed hurt Hype as the pained whimpers started, his three mates trying to sooth the omega, Hype was holding still, he had hurt Branch and while it was a necessary pain for all of them to keep going.

The pained whimpers calmed ‘Alpha’, Hype hardly herd he didn’t want to see the pain he cause, etched on Branch’s face.

‘Hype he wants you’ looking at the blue eyes Hype leaned down trying not to move, only to shift slightly getting a inhale, and a different type of whimper, catching the bitten lips, Hype pulled back slightly carefully pushing back in, he swallowed the mewl repeating the actions.

 Branch’s arms sneaking around his neck had Hype lifting the grey troll, settling him against his chest as his hand roamed the soft body, noting the way he could feel Branch’s ribs and hips, he would need feeding up, something they all planned on doing.

Their hips rolling together, Branch moaning in his ear between bites on his shoulder, their little one was a chewer it seemed, growing lowly Hype returned the favour on Branch open neck, leaving his own purple marks, Hype snapped his hips causing the omega to arch, his back falling against Booms chest, mouth open and waiting, as Boom stole a kiss, Hype could see their pairs tongues meeting and felt Booms finger link with his on Branch’s hips, moving them faster.

Trickee and Ablaze were teasing the pebbled nipples on the grey chest, Branch hand clinging to their arms, as he pushed his face into Booms necks, ‘Look beautiful’ Boom whispered into his ear before nibbling at it, moaning as he saw Alphas Trickee, Ablaze and Hype trading messy together.

Hype pulled away when he felt Branch clench and stiffening every movement, ‘oh pretty one’ his grin sharp ‘cum for me’ he growled pulling Branch closer he slammed their lips together in their own kiss, the mewls reaching a crescendo as Branch body seized against his, before the cry of pleasure spilled out as Hype locked inside grey troll, filling him, Hype growled happily knowing he was the first to touch their omega in such away to bring him to the first high of their mating, he tucked his nose into Branch’s neck scenting and licking at the grey trolls sensitive neck.

A soft almost nervous lick at his cheek had Hype pulling away, seeing the formally hazy eyes a little clearer, Branch was uncertain of his actions, Hype cooed internally as he set about grooming and nuzzling the soft face, he could already feel the slight difference as Branch clung to him nuzzling his neck and cooing in pleasure, the soft pants and lazy cuddling.

The smaller body preening under the touch of the four alphas, as Hype guided Branch off his softening cock, getting sigh from the omega and a chuckle from the rest as he was laid against Boom.

Branch had never felt like this before, the itch under his skin had calmed slightly, the warmth filling his belly, his alphas were taking care of him.

Don’t get used to it, the angry voice in Branch’s head whispered, They just feel sorry for you, he tried to ignore the voice which had haunted him for so long. .

‘Hype’ reached out the blue glitter alpha, when Branch saw Trickee and Ablaze licking and pampering him, ‘You wore him out baby, but doesn’t he look so good between them’ Branch nodded, he had always wanted an alpha to take of him like Trickee and Ablaze were doing, ‘should...should we help?’

‘Oh you should definitely help us sweet one’ Branch’s eyes darted to the darken amber ones of Trickee, ‘Hype would like that wouldn’t you’ the blue alpha was moaning under Ablaze’s tongue, ‘what do I do?’ Boom nudged his cheek.

‘what do you want when you’ve finished heat?’

The itchy feeling was starting again, crawling from Booms hold, Branch joined the two alphas, they were already bathing Hype it was one thing he wanted but the other, he could do, nosing his way across Hypes neck he bathed it, before pressing light kisses and nuzzles around the blue shoulder, under the glittery chin feeling a little scruff, before peppering the blue face with words, ‘take such good care of me, you were good alpha’

A hand cupped his cheek, ‘did I hurt you?’ Branch shook his head rubbing his cheek in the open palm, ‘took good care of me, made me feel so good, my alpha’ Branch kissed he palm ‘rest alpha, I’m here’

‘We all are beautiful, we’ll take good care of you’, Branch heard Trickee as he was stroking and massaging the blue legs, the itchy feeling in Branch’s body started to make its self-know, what he hadn’t know was every hungry eye was on him, watching as his hips rolled searching, his tail curling and swishing invitingly to the side, his knees tucked and parted, as he was still grooming Hype.

It was then he felt it the wave of heat wash over him, as another one of the alpha’s pushed inside him, he stiffened before dropping forwards fully presenting, the feeling was different that with Alpha Hype.

Turning his head Branch saw and heard the pleased growl and grin of Boom as he settled firmly inside him, the gold trolls cock stretching him a little wider but pressing deeper inside him, Branch couldn’t help it he began rocking slightly, as the gold hands held him firmly speeding them up, until he was nothing more than a sobbing mess, it felt amazing, yet different, Hype was slow, Boom wasn’t going fast but his thrusts were heavier deeper.

Branch could do no more than gasp when he smelt it the musk of an aroused Alpha, Trickee knelt across from him, with Ablaze behind him, their hips press together, the thick orange cock proudly stood with the purple hand trailing up and down, Branch whimpered as Hype touched his chin, ‘Guys’ Branch suckled on the digit close to his mouth or tried to, ‘Oh’.

Boom slowing down as they watched Branch whining at the change of speed, ‘put him over me’ Boom lifting Branch had him keening as Boom slid deeper into him, his body was draped over Hypes, as Branch twitching at the fuller feeling he had Booms hands now on his hips keeping firmly inside the small shifts sending shocks of pleasure through his body.

Two different hands touched his face, red and amber eyes looking down at him, small grins on their faces, as Trickee’s thumb brushed his lip, Branch whined trying to take the tip, ‘hush beautiful’, Ablaze's hand went under Branch’s chin as he guided the grey troll to Trickee’s cock where he immediately started licking at the tip causing all four to moan as they watched.

Trickee pushed his hands into Branch’s hair holding the grey omegas head softly.

Boom watched fascinated as Branch took Trickee down to the base, ‘Boom’ he looked at the blissed looked on Trickee's face as Branch swallowed and flexed his jaw as he suckled and li he looked to Ablaze how started thrusting into Trickee, bouncing Branch against him, causing him to find the rhythm between them, Branch’s moan muffled by Trickee cock filling his mouth.

When Boom felt it, Branch’s body tightening as he moved with Booms pace, ‘Are you close little one’ Boom rubbed at the curved hips, Branch clenching as a response, while moaning around Trickee.

The grin shared between himself and Ablaze, had him pulling Branch off Trickee as Blaze cupped the orange troll letting him rut into his palm as they watched.

Boom lifted Branch up bouncing the omega hard and fast on his cock making him call out as he clamped down, his hands clinging onto Boom as they came together, the omegas head falling onto his shoulder, panting and mewling as Boom rolled the joined hips to finish.

Boom was breathing rapidly, as he guided himself and Branch to lay next Hype as he caught his breath, the blueberry and sugar scent surrounding them as he pulled out listening to the soft moan as sweet omega rolled facing him, tired lips met his, a sweet kiss and purr answered his rumble, the omega gave him the same treatment as Hype received, the soft nuzzles and kisses the calloused hands rubbing the muscles of Booms arms and legs soft kisses on his belly and chest as the omega, laid on top of him purring.

Trickee and Ablaze watched the grey omega with interest as he lay on top of their two glittery mates the black tipped tail tapping calmly, ‘he’s perfect Tricks, and he’s going to be ours’ Trickee hummed his response, watching the content Branch purr as Boom and Hype pet him, stroking down the supple spine.

Trickee noticed the way Branch’s body seemed to have points, ‘Tricks, what is it?’ a gentle nudge as Blaze worried his neck, ‘look at Branch and compare him to other omegas he’s too thin’, this worried him.

‘we’ll take good care of him, get his weight up, the village isn’t any place for him, they treat him like a plague, we will treat him like the treasure he is’, lip caught his, ‘I promise Trick, he’s ours now, he will never be alone or unloved’.

‘Trickee, Ablaze’ their eyes snapped to the glittery pair, the omega squirming against them, as Hype fingers worked Branch open the tail swishing quickly.

‘Branch, Baby’ the blue eyes has become dark once again, the flush across his body, was a violent purple, the little puffed entrance leaking over Hypes fingers, ‘Come here precious’ the omega whined reaching out getting soft rumbles, ‘Alpha please’.

‘cum for us sweet one, let Hype give you what you want’

Branch whined once more before arching, legs splayed showing them, ‘that’s it baby, put a show on for us’.

The little body was panting heavily, heels pressed into their nest lifting the slim hips, the little belly was a swollen, only a little filled with Hype and Boom spend, and soon Trickee thought it would be full of both Trickee and Ablaze, ‘Now’ Branch keened dropping boneless to the nest floor.

‘Perfect’ Trickee scooped the smaller troll into his arms as the two glitter trolls started working one each other, Trickee held Branch between himself and Blaze as they stroked at the pliant body, marking the troll, ‘together’

‘do you think he can’

‘Yes, yes I can, please, please’ Branch nuzzled at the orange face, before taking Ablaze’s lips on his.

‘I think our sweet mate has spoken ‘blaze’.

‘can we watch’ the soft sound of two cocks being worked had the trio looking and moaning.

Branch was in a state of pure bliss, the orange and purple Alphas were working him open, the feel of his glittery mates spend inside him, had his body warming even more, ‘mmnn, Alphas’ the pair were seated inside him, waiting the stretch was wonderful, pain was slowly giving away gradually to pleasure the burning was finally receding, the unnatural heat leaving him, giving way to a warmth of bonding.

The pair moved as one pulled out the other pushed in, he wasn’t left without one of them, Ablaze was behind him their kiss was more of a fight, teeth, tongue, moans of pleasure, making in the dirtiest kiss Branch had ever experienced, and yet it was the sexiest he had ever felt, he switched to Trickee who was sweet with him a completely different feel which made him floaty.

His heats had never felt like this, even mid heat when he would have taken anyone, he hadn’t thought the four alphas who had claimed, bred him, were mating him, would go so for it felt amazing, but the inner critic was telling him it was only temporary, only because of the pollen, they must have been dosed too, but they were so in control.

A sharp nip hand Branch rushing back to the pair, he could feel the final moments before they stopped and pushed in together his body aching as he pushed down, their spend filling him, panting as he lent against Ablaze trading soft nuzzles with the pair he looked down as Trickee stroked his belly, it was puffed out slightly.

He purred the four alphas had filled him, he looked like he was carrying, nor far along but enough to give him a small bump, he wished it were true, because if it was he would have a little fat of his own, even if it was just him and his egg, even if the alphas never wanted to see him again.

He sniffled a little, only to get trolls surrounding him, cooing and asking what was wrong, he couldn’t answer he just kept rubbing his belly praying he was in his fertile time and he could have his wish, he was so tired of being alone.

The Alphas stared in shock their little one though they would leave him alone after this, that they would let him go without a fight, it did please them Branch wanted a egg or two with them, but they would be with him every step, to love on him and the little belly he would have, to help him birth the egg because they knew it wouldn’t be easy for the smaller troll.

The did what they could and scented the grey troll so well, they wouldn’t consent to claims mark not while he was flooded with hormones and the flower pollen was still in effect.

They placed Branch snuggly between all of them, soft kisses and whispers were traded amongst them, the exhaustion and pleasant feeling was settling in their bodies as their new omega was purring now content and sleepy ad huddled around him, he would be safe here with them.

Trickee was an early riser but it was rare for him to be awake before Branch, but given the fact they had worn their beautiful blue out last night it wasnt surprising he was purring in his sleep curled on Trickee’s chest, Ablaze was their pillow this time, and Boom and Hype their blankets as the Glitter troll were attached to either Branch or himself but all of their tails were somehow linked.

Rubbing his eyes he saw the sleepy blue ones blinking back at him, a cute yawn had the pale purple nose scrunching, ‘sleep, you earned it’.

Watching as Branch grumbled shuffling around, before growling about an egg pressing on his bladder again, Trickee nodded perfectly understandable, he closed his eyes as Branch wiggled out, when the words filtered through his sleep clogged brain.

‘WHAT?’ he bolted upright causing the shouts of the group to touch him asking ‘what are you yelling about?’ and ‘it’s too early for this Trickee’ the grumbling about coffee was heard next.

Trickee’s eyes locked on Branch, more specifically he belly which, yes, was a little skinner than when they saw him, but I was still round, his hips slightly more curved, the damn cheeky grin on his face was a give away, as was the mischievous but happy twinkle in the blue eyes, the hand lay over the bump, ‘took you long enough’ the damn cheeky omegas grin only got bigger.

Jumping from the nest Trickee had his hand over the bump, his tail flicking happily, ‘you’re eggnant’ the statement wasn’t lost, as he and Branch were surrounded by the others who were touching the belly, they laughed at Branch's squealing when Ablaze had him in his arms and back in the nest with a firm warning of not to move or he would tie him to the nest.

They all crowded in snugging their mate and touching the belly.

‘Guys, I’m hungry’

Chapter Text

‘Guys I’m hungry’

The five trolls started laughing, as they traded kisses with the smiling blue omega, ‘okay we'll feed you, you’re not leaving this nest until the egg is out and don’t think I didn’t notice the bruising Branch’ Boom warned the blue pale blue pop troll.

Boom narrowed his green eyes at the troll as Branch tried to escape the group snuggle, ‘what did I just’ a loud bang and growl interrupted the gold glitter troll as he tried to keep his balance.

The group froze, something was wrong Jolly rarely growled with his full body especially when they were inside he was good about their safety, Branch was the first one up but quickly locked into Ablaze’s arms as their bug growled again, sending him into his arms with a pained hiss as the bruise was caught, the four alphas heads turning quickly, Branch was immediately curled between Ablaze and Trickee as the bracketed him from the agitated movements of Jolly.

Boom and Hype were at the panel door after a few stumbles rubbing at the edge letting Jolly know he could calm down, the loud growl had the group worried.

Boom and Hype jumped out as the side door opened, ‘Hey Jolly, Jolly calm down Bug’ Hype dashed forward calming the striped bug and Boom stared with a raised eyebrow at the multi-coloured lump which had upset their bug.

‘Boom’ he turned ignoring the grumbling ‘how’s he doing Hype, its not good for B to fret over Jolly and you know he will,’ glittery hand rubbing the fully side of the giant bug, the grumbling stopped at the mention of their omega, as the bug started panting happily, ‘whoa Jolly’ the missing three members of their quintet, as Jolly cooed and rumbled as Branch scratching and rubbing at Jolly’s face.

They four smiled at each other as the fluffy bug wiggled happily under Branch’s touch before stopping and warbling inquisitively nudging at the blue troll, who was carefully pushing the wiggling bug back.

‘BRANCH’ a pink blur darted toward their mate but their own purple and red was faster and scooped Branch into his arms before setting him back between the group.

Ablaze's paws resting around the troll loose but to the group of mates they saw the tightness and protective stance Ablaze had, how his hands rested protectively over Branch’s belly, ‘are you okay beautiful?’ he whispered keeping his voice low, Branch’s head turning slightly to agree, Ablaze relaxed but didn’t drop his protection.

Trickee was annoyed they had been having a wonderful morning, their mate was eggnant and letting them love on him, they might have to speak to Brandy and beg off the show due to the egg but that would depend on Branch.

What pissed him off more the trolls stood in front of him, the Queen who had been clinging to their Branch who had pushed their very expectant mate to save his so called brothers, who didn’t deserve Branch, his colours had been dim when they got here and now he had them bright again.

‘Can we help you?’ he ground out feeling Boom and Hype stand next to him keeping Branch and Ablaze at the back the pink and white haired troll came forward, ‘we wanted to see Branch, he disappeared with you all last night and then that one’ the troll pointed behind them to Ablaze, the groups tails puffed up, ‘said he wasn’t feeling well, and now it’s mid day, so we were worried’.

‘That’s right and he wasn’t and now we’ Trickee gestured to his mates ‘will make a decision and discuss it with the lady owner who booked us and her daughter, after we have fed our Branch’ the glares Trickee got caused him to raise an eyebrow.

‘Bitty B’

‘Do not call him that’ Boom spat from beside him, ‘he is not Bitty anything to you’, Trickee watching carefully as Boom got up close to the teal troll daring him, to go near the eggnant mate, a soft whimper had the quartet ignoring the others and circling Branch, hands already reaching his belly, ‘is it the egg’ a shake of the blue head had Trickee cupping the flushed face, confirming the egg was fine, but their Omega needed them, ‘how are you feeling baby?’.

Branch clung to his hand ‘can we just go eat, I am really hungry and we can talk about tonight, my loves please, not this, not now’ Branch pleading with them.

‘Come on Branchifer you can walk with me we need to discuss the wedding’ that was the snapping point for Trickee, Branch was theirs, not once had their mate expressed any interest in Poppy, she pushed him to go with his brothers, Branch hadn’t wanted to go according to Darnell, Branch had been pushed into the trip, Darnell had been concerned as he was aware of their little mate carrying apparently there was a plan to tell them.

When the boys found out, they were furious, the hit which explained the enormous bruising on the omegas side, Branch singing their song, which they weren’t mad about he sounded amazing, but the kiss he was pulled into, that’s what sealed everything.

‘I think you’ll find’ the amber eyes caught the shocked blue ones, who’s owner was desperately trying to pull away from the pink troll, Boom and Hype bet him to Branch’s side, Ablaze’s hand holding Branch’s arm, as he pushed between the Queen and Branch, ‘Branch is not engaged to you’ his tail lashed violently, ‘he’s our mate’.

The four alphas growled at the Queen, backing Branch behind them.

‘WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOUR MATE?’ the eldest BroZone brother yelled, the teal tipped tail sweeping the sand.

Branch just wanted to spend time with his mates, his tail latching on to Hypes, ‘can we not do this here’, pushing forward between his alphas and his brothers, grabbing Boom and Trickee’s hands, ‘let’s just go inside’.

‘Branch maybe we should discuss tonight’s concert and this situation’ Bruce and John were looking at him like he’d gone mad, ‘look we get it we weren’t there and these eyes took our place, but Bitty were back and we can pick back up were we left off’.

Branch felt Ablaze pull him closer as Boom, Hype and Trickee ganged around him this tails lashing at the words, ‘Left off, left off, you mean when you walked out, when you all abandoned me’ Branch took a deep breath stopping himself, ‘Look I’m hungry, can we just eat’.

He pulled his mates towards the cantina, before slowing down, ‘B were sorry we didn’t mean to start anything’ Boom pulled him close causing a soft purr to fall from his lips as he fell into the soft hold, ‘I know, I love you, all of you, and this little one’ he rubbed his belly getting rumbles from his Alphas, who started guiding him inside.

‘Hi Uncle Branch, you slept late’ Branch smiled softly at his niece as she took their drinks order, her mother his sister in law taking the correct one, smiling as LaBreezy read out her list, ‘how are you feeling Hon’ the tray put in front of them with some snacks had Branch’s mouth watering at the sight of some orange and yellow fruits, ‘Better’ his eyes never leaving the fruit, as he defended it from Trickee, ‘I was just exhausted, the last few days really took it out of me, but, touch it and lose your hand, some cuddles and sleep with my boys helped’ shoving a forkful of the fruit into his mouth cheeks puffing out while guarding the bowl, the sweet and partners hit his tongue and he was in heaven.

‘Fis ith delilthous’ he spoke around the food, Branch blushed at the looks of his mates and the smile on Brandy’s face, swallowing carefully he grinned sheepishly ‘sorry, this is delicious what is it?’.

‘special combination, for those in a delicate condition’ Branch felt his eyes widen, as he looked at his very calm sister in law, ‘you ate the clams’ she gave a him a knowing look, ‘do you mind if I join you all, we need to talk about the show tonight, and I’m thinking with how you all shuffled in here, you don’t want to talk to my little soul mate just yet’, nodding Branch agreed as slightly agitated rumbles came from the alphas around him.

‘Breezy Baby, can you get more of the fruit for uncle Branch and bring your chair please’, a hand found its way to Branch’s belly, as his tail swayed and curled lazily behind him, Branch watched the way the children ran riot but were responsible for each other in a childish way making sure they saw the littlest were safe but still had fun.

‘It’s nice here’ was spoken while they waited for Brandy and LaBreezy to join them, a hum of agreement went around the group.

‘We could stay here’ Branch froze his tail twitching minutely, he looked at Hype and realised that everyone was giving him furtive glances, ‘it’s nice calm, no one here would give us trouble’ Hype finished, the orange hand on his belly moved taking his paw, ‘we have though about moving us away from the village, but we know how nervous you get and if’ Branch curled a little at the idea of leaving, but they had been speaking of it.

‘can, can we still have our egg in our nest’ he knew the group wanted to spread further from the village, he knew his own history and so did they, and he was still nervous around the burgens, the fear he had didn’t just disappear over night, ‘of course Baby, we wouldn’t move until your comfortable’ the table echoed the statement.

The only problem Branch had was what if he never felt comfortable, he had his security bunker, it had safety protections built in, and it was his home for so long, but looking around the table he realised his home was with his mates the surrounding were just a place.

‘Can I build a small bunker?’ This got a round of laughs ad Trickee and Hype cuddled into his sides petting him their tails linking at the coos and soft chuckles, ‘we’d expect nothing less’.

Logistics were discussed as Branch finished the first round of fruit finally giving some to his alpha mates, they had decided they wanted this a fresh start for them all, Trickee was in agreement with Branch while he was the oldest of the group and had clearer memories of Burgens and the trolls tree the fear was still there for all of them, and with Poppys apparent idea that Branch would be marrying her, a round of growls echoed drawing attention of a familiar group of trolls who now made their way over.

Kismet was moving, and coming to Vacay Island.

Another round of the fruit appeared making the pale blue troll wiggle, his tail wagging excited, making grabby hands until it was in front of him, causing the female Vacayer to laugh, before passing another slightly larger bowl to her brother in law, who happily started stuffing his face with pleased and content purrs.

‘B, baby Breathe’ Branch ignored his gold mate and the laughter, in favour of adding more fruit to mouth, he was starving all of a sudden and he would eat until he was happy, plus his eggy wanted it so they were having it.

 Ignoring the conversation in favour of the golden sweet fruits, Branch looked up when a soft flick of tail alerted him, swallowing his food, he looked to the purple eyes full of fondness and questioning on him, he cocked his head ear flicking slightly, ‘the show tonight beautiful, are you feeling okay to do it?’

Branch looked at the others and the sunny yellow and teal vacayers, and took a moment to listen to his body, he was feeling better than yesterday his mates were here, and now he found his new favourite food he was he was okay.

Nodding Branch gave a bright grin, ‘Let’s do it’ this got a squeal from his niece and a small clap from Brandy, ‘but one thing’ this got everyone looking at him, ‘thank you for last night and understanding, I guess you already figured it out, but can we keep of high platforms just’

‘Oh no honey I understand completely, we have few different areas for our shows, Bruce insisted, he does sing sometimes’

‘Yeah gross sappy love songs, it would be sweet except he gets mushy and it’s how I ended up with all my brothers’ the look on LaBreezys face had the group smiling, and the soft flushed look on Brandy’s face as she flustered shooing her daughter away, they had politely hidden their smiles behind their hands.

The night of the show came quicker than expected they had been rehearsing on and off all day, their set finally sorted, their new song ready, Trickee and Boom finished the choreo, Branch had his supply of fruits his tail happily swaying.

‘come here you’ Branch was brought into a firm hold his back pressed against a blue chest, his purring stating immediately as the green nose nuzzled his cheek and kisses were laid across his neck, a large hand rubbing his belly, as the other cradled it, ‘for good luck’ and a kiss to his cheek, Hype spurred the gold, amber and purple troll to do the same, declaring the little bump Kismet mascot.

As they finished up they started humming their new song, harmonising perfectly, the finishing touches to their stage outfits and makeup done, with a perfectly timed soft knock on Jollys roof had them looking up, Branch rubbed the joint of the door letting the bug know it was safe, ‘hey uncle Branch are you and the rest of my new uncles ready?’ The soft lilt gave way to star struck tone as LaBreezy supporting a new Kismet shirt, that hung loose around stood next to the stripy bus.

Smiling he nodded ‘you walking us in or are you here as a fan’ he saw the dark sunglasses tucked into her up do, he’d seen trollings do such a thing when they were ready to play, ‘I’m your body guard’ Branch felt arms around his waist and shoulders, the five trolls laughing as Breezy flicked her glasses down putting on menacing face.

‘Good thing too, the sounds coming from in there we might need it’ Ablaze bumped her fist blowing it up, causing her to squeal and bounce.

‘ready boys’ they all put their knuckles together, ‘Get in her with us Bre’ Boom called out the girl squealing again, ‘one, two, three, KISMET’ their hands went up together.

They we’re ready.

The show finished as they crowded back stage, Branch winded was quickly ushered to a bean bag and a bowl of sweet fruits and yoghurt placed in his hand, causing his purr happily as Hype nuzzled him and offered his water bottle.

Branch pulled the blue glitter troll onto the bean bag with him, their tails linking as hand went to his belly again, the alphas had collectively decided, his belly was their second favourite thing about their him.

‘How are you feeling?’ Hype brought the bottle to Branch’s lips letting him take small sip's, letting out a slow breath Branch nodded, ‘I’m okay little winded but sitting is helping’.

Boom dropped in front if the pair leaning against Branch leg as the blue trolls started to mess with pale pink tips of his hair, ‘we did good’ Branch hummed as he ate his fruit, Trickee and Ablaze joining Boom their heads resting on the gold trolls lap, as they played with his hands this was a small post show ritual.

‘Bitty B?’ the group looked over to the door, seeing four trolls, the alphas tensing as the blue omega snuggled deeper into the blue glitter trolls side, his arms tightening protectively around Branch.

‘Can we talk?’ the magenta and white haired troll came forward, Trickee growled lowly, and getting a squeeze and a whispered ‘calm down Tricks’ from Boom.

‘Baby, do you want them here?’ Hype whispered rubbing Branch’s slowly firming belly, the rumbles comforting Branch as he looked at his brothers who were looking at him in concern.

Sighing Branch nodded, the group didn’t move but Bruce pushed his way into the room with John Dory to get a few extra chairs, the alphas surrounding Branch growled as Floyd came closer to the blue omega, who purred claiming them.

‘Hey Floyd’ Branch went to wiggle from Hypes lap but was pulled back and nuzzled setting his tail wagging, a small giggle escaping him, ‘Love you Baby’ Branch purred loudly, ‘I love you too Hype’ Branch nuzzled the glitter troll giving him a soft peck.

‘Hey what about us?’ Branch grinned down at Ablaze, ‘I don’t know what about you?’ the group laughed as Branch plopped himself on top of Ablaze, brothers or not he wasn’t going to change how he acted with his mates ‘you know I love you’, Branch was pulled into a light kiss.

A light cough brought them apart, looking at his now clustered brothers, who were looking uncomfortable at the exchange, a purple hand rubbing his belly and their growing eggy, lips against his ear out of sight of his brothers ‘you sure you’re okay beautiful?’ Branch pecked Ablaze’s cheek a soft smile on his face.

‘Branch?’ looking to Bruce, Branch carefully pushed up taking Hypes out stretched hand.

Bruce wasn’t sure about the four alpha trolls surrounding his brother, it wasn’t uncommon for an omega troll to have more than one mate, but it was uncommon to have more than two, but this was his baby brother, who he left and had no right to condemn, these four clearly made him happy.

His tail dropped a little, the purple plumed tip swept the floor slightly, he couldn’t help it, it was his baby brother, ‘are you happy, are you safe and do they take good care of you, what happened I thought you and Poppy were a pair?’ the words spewed out with out control, his chest heaving slightly as he finished.

The young blue troll stared up at him, stunned, baby blue eyes blinking, and Bruce didn’t realise when he had put hands on Branch’s shoulders, or even got into his personal space.

The stunned look slowly disappearing as a sweet smile filled the blue face, as Branch brought him into a hug, his little blue tipped tail wagging slowly before linking with Bruce’s own much like when Branch was a pup.

‘Yes, I’m very happy with them, they take good care of me and love me and I love them very much’ a cheeky wink was given to him, ‘their my soul mates, my very regular heighted soul mates’ this got a small laugh from Bruce, ‘I’m not with Poppy, she’s my friend or I thought she saw me as such I never gave her reason to think otherwise, we’ve’ Branch gestured to the four trolls still seated watching them, ‘been together since I was eighteen’.

This surprised Bruce, ‘Branch’ the name came out broken sounding, Branch had been with them since he was eighteen, he was twenty three now, had he really been out of his baby brothers life for twenty years, Bruce suddenly felt every inch his age as he pulled the omega into a hug, when he felt it the firm belly, holding Branch’s shoulders, taking in the bemused look, as he noticed the changes he hadn’t when they rescued Floyd, the softer, shiny hair, the fluffy flocking on his body, the soft flush on his cheeks, and the slight rounding of the hips and belly.

Bruce realised and started laughing, before pulling his brother into his arms again, rumbling, he nuzzled the baby soft hair, ‘I’m going to make you some of the products I use, its good for your hair and for your flocking, and make sure you have what ever you need or want as long at you all are here’ he looked to the alphas who were keeping a eye on him, Protective that was good his brother deserved the best.

‘Thank you’ the muffled words cane from his vest.

Bruce knew he had a lot to make up for and didn’t have a good explanation for why he stayed away for so long, but he would spend time trying to make it up the omega.

‘You four’ he pointed at his brothers mates, he knew it was too late, ‘keep taking good care of him, and congratulations’ Bruce looked to Branch who was smiling, ‘Pup, I’m sorry, and I hope there will be a time you can forgive me and I can get to know all of you, and your’ the growls cut him off.

Floyd was next the growls came thick and fast as the quartet got up and stood surrounding Branch protecting him.

Floyd realised they were protecting Branch from Floyd, he took in the youngest features, the way sparkling blue eyes dimmed slightly, the blue tail drooping no happily flicking but hanging, sedated on, the ear down turned like Branch was waiting to be yelled at or rejected.

Wetting his lips, Floyd went to speak but froze, the words Branch said as a pup, ‘Bye, see you later’ echoed through his head causing him to choke, the behaviour made sense, Branch might have saved him but it didn’t mean Floyd was forgiven.

‘Branch, I’ Floyd choked, the older omega looked to the younger ‘Puppy, I’m so sorry, I’ he wanted to hug the blue troll, ‘Puppy can I hug you’, Floyd opened his arms, the blue omegas tail curled a little closer, his body flinching.

‘Baby’ Floyd saw the gold troll take his baby brothers paw as the orange one started rubbing his back, the soft whine had Floyd dropping his arms, ‘Branch’, he stepped back getting a louder whimper before a body crashed into his bring them to the floor, his arms already wrapping around the body, tails already curling together as they nuzzled and scented each other properly for the first time in twenty years, ‘I’m so sorry Puppy, I’m sorry’.

Floyd could smell it amongst the notes of Branch’s scent a smell he’d once carried, pressing a soft kiss to the teal head, ‘congratulations Baby Branch’ the blue head butted under his chin, ‘I can’t forgive you not yet, you broke a promise to me, I at least deserve an answer, but I don’t want to lose you again, any of you’ Floyd knew it wouldn’t be so easy, and he really did want the chance to know his brother and apparently his brother in laws who were glaring at him, fingers pointing to their eyes and then to him, the universal I’m watching you.

Floyd nodding as the purple drew his thumb across his neck, he understood if he couldn’t be here for Branch then walk away now, they wouldn’t let him hurt their mate.

‘You don’t have to stay, I know you probably have a life but please keep in contact, come see me, be there’ Branch pulled from his arms, Floyd cradled the flushed cheek, ‘I Promise’ and linked their pinky’s causing Branch to gasp as flood of glitter came around them, causing the magenta troll to blink shocked, ‘what just happened?’

This got a giggle from his little brother.

Branch stared at his two other older brothers, John who had pulled his goggles over his eyes, and Clay who was ringing his tail nervously, his blue eyes darting between him and the group behind him.

Looking over his shoulder he saw the innocent and who me faces his mates were making shaking his head he pushed up from Floyds hold, a gasp stopped his as he clutched belly, the sudden pain almost brought him to the floor once more, ‘Branch’ he felt hands touching him one on his belly the same one cupping his chin making him look to the purple eyes, ‘Blaze’ his voice think and pain filled.

‘we got you, is there a doctor here that can help’ Branch heard Trickee snap as he was lifted into strong arms, curling when a other cramp ran through his belly, ‘Eggs, too soon, nest please, our nest’ he begged, as the soft all jolts sent the pain bouncing, ‘Baby I think it’s time, but it’s too soon, we need a doctor’

Branch whimpered he wanted his nest instincts running high, ‘well bring it’.

Branch felt the air shift as he was lifted by his sister in law along with two of his mates, being placed in what was equivalent to a dolls house was unusual, but it was the right size for them, his nest was quickly built around them as Trickee and Ablaze took his hands and were at his side as Hype and Boom at his back stoking his hair, giving soothing words.

‘Okay Branch, I need you to really concentrate and biggest push you can do it’ Floyd being the only omega troll in the room, aside him was the one helping with Bruce, ‘I can’t’

‘Yes you can beautiful’

‘You’re doing so well push baby’

Branch gripped the orange and purple hands, and pushed, hard when he felt it the stretch and the pain disappearing as fast as it came, ‘look at that shell, they got your hair B’ the small egg was cleaned off and Branch hardly got chance to hold it before the pain started again, ‘I need to push’ he gasped.

‘Branch no yo’ Floyd started.

‘I NEED TO PUSH’

‘Oh shit, okay, okay push Branch, PUSH’

He laid exhausted three tiny eggs laid in his arms all different, but each equally beautiful, he looked to his mates, who were all quietly staring at the eggs in awe.

‘You want to hold them’ whispering his voice horse from the screams and exhaustion he felt, they were carefully transferred to loving arms Booms went around him, minding his tender belly, ‘you did so good beautiful’ the gentle hold was warm and the soft breaths were helping him in his exhausted state to fall asleep, a kiss was pressed to his lips, he didn’t have the strength to return it, ‘Sleep Branch’.

The island was bright with laughter, as a striped bug came barrelling back onto the island, stopping outside a familiar cantina, the door popping open to let three five year old, bickering trolling’s fall out.

Their parents following behind exasperation on their faces as the children kept it up.

Their paba following a glittery purple newborn pup asleep in his blue hair and a yellow infant cooing comfortable in his teal arms.

‘really can you three stop where home go wild, but don’t kill each other’ Branch had about enough, his triplets has been going since they left techno reef, the yellow infant was stolen by his amber mate who’s started cooing at her getting a toothy grin.

He followed everyone in the building, seeing her eldest playing in the troll sized pools, he looked to the four alpha and grumbled ‘it your faults their like this’.

‘you love us, and you love them you wouldn’t change anything’, Branch nodded joining his brothers for their monthly catch up, they tended to meet on vacay island as it was where three of the five Brozone brothers had made a home, Floyd and his mate and child moving after they had a long discussion about the rockapocalyse and why Eric had thought it a good idea to drag their two year old at the time into it.

Branch hadn’t told anyone but he was carrying again, he smiled when he saw the sweet and tart fruits on the table, every time carrying it was his favourite thing to eat, pulling the bowl close he started getting surprised and happy smiles and laughs from his mates, and groans from his children, and congratulations from all his brothers.

He was happy, truly happy, cuddling his two week hatched little one who had decided now was the best time to wake.

Chapter Text

I am closing this book, but will still be doing the requests under it, feel free to request on here, and i will add them to my list.  

 everyone who has requested will sill have their chapter/s, as i have them listed and waiting to work on

I am sorry for the delay

I just dont like the format of clustering them together amd will be putting all in the love through genres series