Branch couldn't believe it.

Here he was, standing with the four brothers of whom he'd never imagined seeing ever again. Granted, they all looked a bit different than they had in their youth, but they were still his brothers nonetheless. And, what he couldn't believe even more was that he actually liked it. He was glad – no, happy – that he was standing there with them. When he had pictured ever being in the presence of all four of his older brothers at the same time, he had imagined himself feeling a boiling, uncontained rage that would've probably caused him to lash out in an ugly fashion at them. But, after what they'd gone through, this reunion was nothing to be mad at. There was no hint of a scowl on his face whatsoever. Plastered on it instead was a large smile that he couldn't seem to stop. Why? Because they were a family again, brothers reunited and together forever. On paper, Branch figured it sounded a bit cheesy, but he could care less. It was the truth!

PING!

Branch looked down at his wrist upon the dinging sound of his Hug Time bracelet going off, the flower on it blooming and lighting up. All the brothers had knowing looks on their faces... well, except for one. Floyd, having just joined them and completing the full family reunion, peered down at the green bracelet and raised an eyebrow, confused.

"What... is that?" he asked Branch, pointing down at it. He didn't recall anything like it back when they lived at Troll Tree.

"Oh, this?" Branch held up his wrist to show it off. "It's a Hug Time bracelet."

"Hug Time?" Floyd echoed.

"Yeah!" John Dory piped up. "Apparently, after Pop Village escaped Bergen Town, there was this decree by the king..."

"... To celebrate the fact that the village was safe, everyone should hug every hour!" Spruce added onto JD's thought.

"And they wear these bracelets as a watch so you remember just when!" Clay chimed in.

"Wow, really?" Floyd said, considering the new information.

"Yeah!" JD said. Then he smirked as he thought up an idea. "And you know, now that we've got the whole band back together..." He trailed off, shooting a glance at Spruce, Clay and Floyd. The brothers seemed to catch onto what he was suggesting, and soon all expectant eyes were on Branch.

The blue Troll's eyes widened. "Guys," he said warningly, "Don't you even think about – "

But his words were cut off at the collective yell of "GROUP HUG!" from the brothers. Before Branch could bolt, he was attacked by a flurry of arms from all sides enveloping him into a tight embrace. From his smushed place in the middle of them all, Branch was able to peek over and see Poppy and her sister Viva hugging. He felt a little bit envious. Why couldn't he have just had one brother so that he wouldn't be practically suffocating under their hug like he was now? At the same time though, he couldn't be all that upset. If anything he'd have to get used to these hugs, because now, as he'd reminded himself before, they were once again one big happy family.

So Branch let his annoyance go, smiled, and gladly hugged John Dory, Spruce, Clay, and Floyd in return.

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A/N: The way I understood it from the first movie is that Hug Time was something that happened after the Trolls left Troll Tree 🤗