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Branch was new to this whole concept of loving someone. He had no idea that he was honestly capable of feeling love for anything or anyone. He spent so much time underground that he began to feel almost as cold and damp as the air. But everything changed for him, as soon as he met Poppy…Poppy; she was brighter than the sun could ever be, the happiest, and kindest troll that Branch could ever have the pleasure of meeting. She taught him everything he knew about friendship, and love. Love ..Branch was familiar with love, he was familiar with the love that came from his girlfriend, her affection, the little kisses on his cheek she left often, the cute little mwah sounds she made when she kissed him all over. He always managed to giggle like a dork when she did that. She would do it just to hear him giggle sometimes. Branch treasures Poppy above all things. (well other than his beloved son, Gary..)
He was comfortable around her, he would often let his guard down around her, loosening up. Everyday he got more and more comfortable with her acts of affection, especially when she kissed him, often making him feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. His desire for her grew every single day, the same could be said for Poppy, her love and desire for Branch also grew with every waking day. Smothering Branch in love as much as she possibly could in one day, without overwhelming him. He never realized how badly he desired her love, until he was receiving it everyday as he opened himself up to her more and more. He was so glad he did this. He can’t even imagine a life without her warmth by his side. His life would not be the same without Poppy.
Branch sat in his bunker after a long day of overwhelming activities in the village, he had drained his social battery for the day. He was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to go to bed, but he..couldn’t. He was missing something. Poppy. She had still been busy with the village activities when he had decided he was done for the day. He sighs. He looks up at the clock that hung on his bunker wall, the ticking getting louder the longer he stared at it, as if it was mocking him, each tick was meant to be a laugh. A laugh in Branch’s face that said; “haha! Poppy’s still with the rest of the village and you are in here all alone!” Branch grunts in frustration at the clocks loud ticking, a sound that he normally doesn’t mind but right now it was getting on his last nerve. “Where is Poppy, I..miss her.” He mumbles to himself as if he doesn’t want anyone to hear him say that, despite being alone. Branch slumped onto his bed with a plop, and groans again as he waits impatiently, rhythmically kicking his feet on his bed. His anxieties getting him all worked up. A feeling he was used to, sure, but not for just simply missing his girlfriend. “I want to kill myself.” He mutters after the long amount of groaning he did. Just as he had stopped speaking he heard what sounded like the lever clicking and his elevator coming down. This meant Poppy had to be back right. Branch quickly perks his head up, he rolls out of bed, and walks into the main room, “Poppy!” He says softly as he awkwardly gives her a hug, he still hasn’t mastered hugging.
“Branch!” Poppy smiles brightly as she hugs him back. “I noticed you left the party early, so I wanted to just pop in and check on you before I left. Make sure you're ok.” She says.
“Oh!” Branch blushes profusely, “uh yeah, I did leave early.” He scratches the back of the head. “I’m really glad you decided to check on me.” He smiles warmly at her, looking at her with bright eyes.
“Of course! Obviously!” Poppy laughs, “it’s late, I should head to my pod, but I’ll see ya in the morning!” She plants a kiss on his hand and just like that, up she goes…
Branch is left standing stunned, he looks at his hand, and tears well up in his eyes. His chest starts to feel funny. “That’s all?” He finally mumbles quizzically, he thought he understood everything finally. Now he’s not so sure.
“But.” Branch stammers as he tries to comprehend what just happened, he needs answers, so logically he turns to the internet. Branch starts to frantically look up what a kiss on the hand means, he had never received such a thing from Poppy, she always kissed him on the cheek. Branch clicked on the first article that he could read. He starts to read it outloud, “it means..love, loyalty and respect…” Branches voice breaks. “So..she still loves me?” He puts a finger on the spot that she had kissed. It feels warm. “It’s Love.” Branch repeats, he begins feeling an overwhelming amount of emotions and he starts to cry. He’s so overwhelmed with feelings that can only be described as ‘pink feelings’ the pent up emotions welled up inside Branch and he couldn’t stop himself from sobbing uncontrollably.
Branch didn’t feel complete without Poppy’s warm kisses on his face, or his giggle when he inevitably giggles because he can’t control it. Most of all he was missing her ‘I love you Branch!’ Branch sighs in frustration, he should know everything is fine, but why doesn’t it feel fine to him. He doesn’t want to lose Poppy. She is the most important person in the world-no the universe-to him. He needed her.
Branch slumps back into his bed, he groans softly, looking at a photo of Poppy he kept by his bedside. “I love you Poppy until the end of time.” He says to the picture, giving it a gentle kiss, as he embraces the photo in his arms as if he was physically holding Poppy herself. Slowly, Branch falls asleep in the fetal position, still gripping the photo of Poppy as he begins to snore loudly with the racing thoughts of this new meaning to their relationship that he is still learning about every passing day. He truly loves her. And he will keep loving her until the end of time.