Work Text:
Poppy took a deep breath in as she folded her hands and set them in her lap.
Branch was going to be there any minute, and she had to prepare herself mentally.
Poppy loved Branch, and she knew that he loved her. They had a wonderful relationship and had been together for almost a year now.
But that was the problem.
Poppy felt like their relationship never really seemed to- expand. It just felt like all day, all year almost, they were still just at Level 1.
She knew Branch was nervous about doing and saying anything new to her in fear of her rejecting it, but this talk was going to change that.
She was going to change that.
Poppy had asked Branch to come over the past week, and he constantly made excuses. She knew he was scared about what she was going to talk to him about because his excuses were always the dumbest things in the world.
"Oh, uhm, not today... I have to go, er, pack up my record players and stash them in a room...in my bunker...somewhere."
"Oh, shoot, sorry Poppy, not today, I promised Holly that I would taste her chocolate cupcakes this morning..."
"I don't think so, I have to return this book to the library today... Sorry."
They honestly made her smile.
But yesterday, Branch gave in to a talk today. He couldn't hide behind excuses forever.
Poppy checked the cookies on the table. Yup. They still looked delicious. She was sure that Branch wouldn't eat any, but they made the scene more casual.
She could not have Branch uncomfortable in this conversation.
Speaking of her boyfriend, she heard his soft steps enter the doorway.
Poppy looked up eagerly, happy to see him. Finally.
Branch stopped and watched her for a minute before saying, "Hey..."
Yup. He was terrified.
Poppy smiled. "Hi! So...are you just going to stand there or talk to your girlfriend?"
Branch flushed and walked to the couch on the other side of the coffee table with the cookies, so he was looking straight at her.
"So- uhm...you wanted to talk? That's all?" Branch seemed to be trying to compose himself.
And failing. Miserably
"Well... Maybe not just that." Poppy did have some other plans. She grinned at him. "You can relax."
Branch lifted his eyebrows. "I am relaxed."
"That's a terrible lie," she giggled. "I just wanted to ask you something."
Branch looked pale. "And that is?"
Poppy fidgeted. "I wanted to know... Well, you know I love you, and I know you love me. I have never felt the way towards anyone the way that I do towards you, and I believe and pray that the spark that you give me every time I see you will never fade. I just have a bit of an issue that's been bothering me for a bit, and I need to know..."
She gave a deep breath, and Branch held his.
"I wanted to ask if you were comfortable with moving up in our relationship," Poppy said quickly.
Branch looked immensely surprised. "Moving...up? Wait- you're not breaking up with me?"
Poppy gaped at him. "No! I- no! Basically the exact opposite." She cleared her throat awkwardly. "I don't know, I just feel like we should be further along in this for how long we've been dating."
Branch seemed a bit confused. "Further along?" He thought for a bit. "What makes us behind?"
Poppy gave a light shrug. "I dunno. I mean, I love your cheek kisses, but you seem to give more of those than real real ones, as if you're too nervous to actually kiss me."
Poppy flushed. In her head it had sounded way more... Well, less weird.
"And your compliments always make my day, but you don't do them that often..." Poppy cleared her throat again. "Just little things like that."
They were both silent for a bit.
"How often should I compliment?" Branch suddenly asked.
Poppy didn't want there to be appointed times for compliments or anything, like a chore. She just wanted it to happen.
"Just...more."
Branch nodded, seeming to understand.
"And kisses. How often?"
Poppy gave the same answer. "Uhhh...more?"
Branch nodded again. Then he patted the seat next to him.
Poppy's eyes lit. He wanted her to sit next to him.
Poppy almost immediately jumped up and sat down next to him.
"Look..." He sighed. "I don't know much about this whole dating thing. You do, however. So, what about a teaching lesson?" He grinned at her.
Poppy flushed again. "I mean, uhhh, sure?"
"Great." Branch sat up more straight. "Just tell me what to do and I'll do it."
Poppy looked him over. His hair, his eyes, his chest, his legs, and then up to his eyes again.
Then, without looking down, she took his arms in her hands.
"First, if you are feeling in the mood to caress me, massage me, or whatever, don't hesitate. I always love your touch."
Especially when you kiss me, she thought, but no way was she gonna tell him that.
Poppy brought his arms around her waist, pulling him closer to her.
She smiled.
"And don't be afraid to move. I'm not holding you in place or anything," she giggled.
Whenever she kissed him, he was always like a statue. Never moved an inch.
Her arms wrapped around his neck.
"And relax. I'm not going to slap you or anything."
"Of course you aren't," he chuckled, but it was a bit doubtful.
Poppy leaned in a but closer, tipping his chin to the side a bit. "Always be open to correction," she added. "It's great to be a quick learner."
She leaned in closer still. "Soft noises are welcome," she said mischeviously, almost teasing, as she finally pulled him in for a kiss.
It was a bit different.
Branch's hands were glued to her hips until she moved her arm from his neck to caress his cheek.
He chose that as his permission.
His hand gently slid up her back as a comforting caress.
His arms relaxed a bit as he got used to the new movement. He was not used to doing this. It almost felt wrong.
Poppy pressed closer, basically in a hug with him now, her hands rubbing the back of his head and ruffling his hair.
Just to see his reaction, she gave a little sigh of pleasure through the kiss.
This made him smile, causing the kiss to pause for a second.
Poppy giggled as she pulled back. "I can't kiss you when you're smiling!"
Branch's smile turned to into a chuckle. "You're smile is almost as bright as that light directly above us in my face."
Poppy smirked at him.
"What? You said you wanted more compliments." Branch smirked back.
Poppy leaned away from him and switched off the light above us.
Immediately it was a bit darker and more relieving. Branch sighed. "That's better."
Before leaning in again, Poppy jumped onto his lap, startling Branch.
"Is this okay?" she asked.
"Uh, yeah. Yes. Its great- fine." Branch felt the heat in his cheeks as his girlfriend leaned in for another kiss.
This time, he was more comfortable.
Her arms stayed behind his neck most of the time, but his hands roamed more freely. They rubbed her sides, went up and down her back gently, massaged her shoulder, even pressed her closer to him by gently pushing down on her neck.
This caused actual happy sighs and slight contented moans to slip out. This made Branch's heart beat faster and he still smiled, but he managed to do it through the kiss.
Poppy again pulled apart and leaned against his shoulder, smiling.
Branch tried to catch his breath, and the small sensitive kisses she gave on his shoulder didn't help at all.
"Branch..."
"Mmm?"
"You need a nickname for me to upgrade your relationship package," she whispered.
"Aw, dangit." Branch pretended to be dissappointed. "I guess I'll have to think of one."
"I have one for you."
"And it is?" He lifted an eyebrow.
"Branchie Bear. Simple," Poppy said, snuggling into his shoulder.
"No way you're calling me that," he laughed.
His hand raked through her ponytail.
"Already started too, Branchie Bear," she teased.
He pecked her forehead and whispered, "You're lucky you're cute."
Poppy giggled. She had so much more to teach him about the "relationship upgrade". But he was already doing amazing.
And it was nice just resting here on his shoulder for a bit.
Poppy sighed.
Back to work.
She sat up again and leaned in for another kiss.
Branch kissed back eagerly waited for his lesson to begin again.
Maybe going further along their relationship wouldn't be so hard after all.