Chapter Text
When the show ended Branch was one of the last to leave,along with Barb and the new guitar player. Branch was busy cleaning up the stage and organizing the cords. He refused help and no one knew how to do it right.
Barb and poppy talked for a little big poppy relaxing as more people left the stage area. She wasn’t supposed to be here even Barb hadn’t caught on that she was pop.
Branch however had already read her cover to cover. He knew what she was and he hated it. He hated pop trolls with their discuing music and their remixes. They were the most annoying of all the trolls…so why did his heart flutter when they made eye contact. It was the briefest eye contact in history and Branch was the first to pull out of it. He shook his head and just got back to work.
Poppy looked at Barb confused about that whole interaction. Barb laughed and patted her shoulder. “ don't worry about btw ch he’s as fun as a stale loaf of bread “
Branch rolled his eyes; it wasn't like he was out of ear shot. He tried to tone them out but a familiar voice pulled him out of his work.
“ hey little dude ! Did you watch the show ?”
Barb reached down and ruffled the trollings hair. Amp giggles in responds and nodded
“ I love the new guy! She was amazing !”
Amp bounced in place when she spoke,as if every word was 110% pure excitement. Barb nodded and attempted to understand the words coming out at 1,000 MPH from this kid. It took branch picking her up to make her chill out.
“ I told ya to stay in the back room I’d get you when we were done” he playfully scolded,it truly wasn’t that big of a deal.
By this point poppy had returned,now seeing branch had decided to join the conversation,she decided to try again.
“ Oh hello! You’re branch right ? I’m popp—popper yeah popper not poppy “ she chuckled nervously. She held out her hand but got no handshake in response. Awkward. That was until amp reached down and shook it
“ hi! I’m amp and this is my big brother ! And aunty Barb. He doesn’t like talking “
Branch looked embarrassed, desperately avoiding eye contact. He was also trying to read Barb to see if she knew what poppy or popper truly was. His findings were inconclusive and dammit he caught her eyes again. He felt his heart skip a beat. Yep! Time to leave.
“ it’s getting late. Good night “
Wow the words of a poet over here,he started to walk away before barb grabbed him by his belt.
“ you can’t just leave like that mullet man,say goodbye properly “
He groaned and held out his hand to popper. “ goodbye popper….” She grabbed his hand and gave a good ol shake. He didn’t know rather to gag or blush sooo he chose to just leave as quick as he could.
Amp waves from over his shoulder and the other two waved back.
Once they were home, the branch put amp to bed and then had a extinal crisis in his own room. There was no way ! No WAY! that paint was fooling Barb she had to have known…but her plan. She hated pop trolls as much as he did. What was going on in this world..he would have to figure it out in the morning. At lest he didn’t have to see popper for a while,the next show was in 2 weeks.
He was almost asleep when he got a text from Barb. “ meet me and popper for breakfast tomorrow “
“ DAMMIT !”