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Rain tapped softly against the windows of the bunker in a steady relaxing rhythm while warm golden lantern light filled the cozy underground home with a sleepy evening glow. Blankets had been draped across the couch, records played quietly in the background, and the entire bunker smelled faintly like hot chocolate thanks to the mugs cooling on the kitchen counter. It was one of those peaceful nights where neither Poppy nor Branch had any obligations to worry about with no village emergencies, no parties to host, no family chaos to manage.
Just the two of them.
Or at least…
That had been the plan.
Unfortunately, Branch had disappeared into another room nearly thirty minutes ago muttering something vague about organizing supplies, leaving Poppy sprawled dramatically across their bed with absolutely nothing to do.
“This is tragic,” she announced loudly to herself while kicking one leg lazily against the blankets.
No response.
Poppy huffed and rolled onto her stomach, chin resting in her hands while she glanced around the room. Their bedroom had slowly become a perfect mixture of both of them over time — cozy practical touches from Branch mixed with colorful blankets, flowers, and glowing string lights from Poppy. His neatly organized shelves sat beside jars of glitter and bright decorations she’d insisted made the room “emotionally happier.”
And right now?
Poppy was emotionally bored.
“Branch!” she called toward the hallway. “If you’ve died organizing something, I need to know!”
“I’m alive!” his voice echoed back.
“Okay but are you almost done?”
“…Maybe.”
Poppy narrowed her eyes suspiciously at the ceiling.
That sounded incredibly suspicious.
With another dramatic sigh, she rolled sideways across the bed until her hand bumped against something partially hidden beneath Branch’s pillow. Curious immediately, she pulled the object free.
It was a notebook.
Dark green.
Very Branch.
Poppy smiled faintly and flipped it open absentmindedly, expecting schedules or survival plans or maybe another one of Branch’s aggressively detailed lists.
Instead, the first page read:
THINGS I WANT TO DO WITH POPPY BEFORE WE GET MARRIED
Poppy blinked.
Then blinked again.
Slowly, she sat upright on the bed while her heart melted instantly.
“Oh my gosh.”
The page beneath the title was covered in careful handwriting and tiny checkboxes.
Watch meteor showers together again.
Take Poppy camping somewhere without giant spiders.
Learn to dance properly for the wedding.
Build a blanket fort and stay there all day.
Cook dinner together without setting anything on fire.
Kiss Poppy under every major landmark in Pop Village.
Write songs together.
Spend an entire day saying yes to whatever Poppy wants.
Make sure she knows I love her every day.
Poppy’s expression softened more and more with every line.
Some items were silly.
Some romantic.
Some oddly specific.
One simply read:
Get over fear of public slow dancing because Poppy deserves better than awkward swaying.
And another underneath said:
Practice calling her my wife without panicking.
Poppy actually had to cover her mouth to stop herself from making emotional squeaking noises.
Because this was the most Branch thing she had ever seen.
Careful.
Thoughtful.
Quietly romantic in a way he probably didn’t even realize was devastatingly sweet.
She continued flipping pages, discovering even more ideas scribbled into the notebook.
Take engagement photos somewhere pretty.
Learn her favorite songs on guitar.
Go stargazing at least three more times before the wedding.
Have one completely perfect lazy day together.
Poppy’s chest ached warmly.
Every single page was full of love.
Not dramatic grand gestures.
Just little moments he wanted to share with her.
Her eyes caught on one line written smaller than the others near the bottom of a page.
Make enough memories that she never regrets choosing me.
Poppy’s heart immediately shattered a little.
“Oh, Branch…”
Right on cue, footsteps approached down the hallway.
Branch entered the room carrying folded blankets before stopping dead the second he saw the notebook in her hands.
Silence.
Pure horror spread across his face.
Poppy watched his ears immediately turn red.
“…You found that.”
The embarrassment in his voice was almost painful.
Poppy sat frozen on the bed still clutching the notebook against her chest while Branch stood in the doorway looking like he wanted the ground to swallow him whole.
“I can explain,” he said quickly.
Poppy stared at him. “Branch…”
“It’s not—I mean—it’s stupid, okay?”
“What?! No!”
Branch groaned softly and dragged one hand down his face before setting the blankets aside. “You weren’t supposed to see it.”
“Why not?!”
“Because it’s embarrassing!”
Poppy looked back down at the notebook in disbelief. “This is literally the most romantic thing anyone has ever done.”
Branch froze.
“…What?”
Poppy’s expression melted completely as she hugged the notebook tighter. “Branch, this is adorable.”
He looked genuinely stunned by her reaction.
“You think it’s adorable?”
“Yes!”
Branch walked farther into the room slowly, still visibly nervous. “I thought maybe you’d think it was too much.”
“Too much?” Poppy laughed softly. “You made a list of things you want to do together before we get married. That’s insanely sweet.”
Branch rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, clearly still embarrassed. “Yeah, well…”
His voice quieted.
“I just wanted everything to be special.”
Poppy’s heart squeezed painfully at the vulnerability in his expression.
Branch sat carefully on the edge of the bed beside her, avoiding eye contact now while she watched him gently.
“I know you love excitement,” he admitted quietly. “And adventures. And huge fun experiences.” He shrugged weakly. “Sometimes I worry I’m not enough of that.”
Poppy blinked immediately.
“Branch—”
“I know it sounds dumb,” he continued quickly, “but sometimes I think maybe eventually you’ll get bored of me.” He laughed once under his breath without humor. “You could literally have anyone, Poppy.”
Poppy stared at him in complete disbelief.
Then immediately scooted closer and grabbed his face in both hands.
“Absolutely not.”
Branch looked startled.
“Do you seriously think I would ever leave you because I was bored?” Poppy asked softly.
Branch hesitated.
“…Maybe a little.”
Poppy’s expression crumpled instantly with affection and sadness all at once.
“Oh, Branch.”
Before he could react, she kissed him.
Hard.
Immediate.
Full of so much warmth and certainty that Branch made a quiet surprised sound against her lips.
Poppy kissed him again.
And again.
And again.
Little quick kisses all over his face until Branch started laughing breathlessly despite himself.
“Poppy—”
“Nope,” she interrupted between kisses. “I’m making a point.”
“You’re definitely making something.”
She cupped his cheeks firmly. “I am completely in love with you.”
Branch’s expression softened instantly.
“And,” Poppy continued, kissing the corner of his mouth, “I would happily spend the rest of my life proving that.”
Another kiss.
“You are never going to bore me.”
Another kiss.
“Ever.”
Branch’s hands slid automatically to her waist, pulling her into his lap while she continued showering him with affection.
“You know,” he murmured once she finally paused for breath, “this is a very convincing argument.”
Poppy smiled against his lips. “Good.”
Branch looked at her for a long moment after that — really looked at her.
At the warmth in her eyes.
The absolute certainty in her smile.
The way she held him like loving him was the easiest thing in the world.
And suddenly all the nervousness he’d been carrying around for months loosened slightly in his chest.
“You really like the list?” he asked quietly.
Poppy laughed softly in disbelief. “Branch, I love the list.”
Relief visibly washed over him.
“Really?”
“Yes! It’s romantic!”
“You don’t think it’s weird?”
“I think it’s perfect.”
Branch finally smiled fully then — soft and genuine and slightly shy around the edges in a way that always made Poppy’s heart melt.
Poppy opened the notebook again and flipped through another page while still curled comfortably in his lap.
“Oh my gosh,” she laughed. “You made notes.”
Branch immediately looked embarrassed again. “Okay maybe don’t read those out loud.”
“‘Remember snacks because Poppy gets grumpy when hungry.’”
“That’s accurate information.”
Poppy gasped dramatically. “Excuse me.”
“You once threatened to fight a vending machine.”
“It deserved it.”
Branch snorted softly while Poppy continued flipping pages excitedly.
“Wait, wait.” Her eyes widened. “‘Take Poppy somewhere quiet and tell her every reason I want to marry her.’”
Branch covered his face instantly. “Okay, maybe burn the notebook.”
Poppy immediately pulled his hands away. “No! This is so sweet!”
“You’re impossible.”
“And you’re ridiculously romantic when nobody’s looking.”
Branch sighed dramatically while she grinned at him.
“You know what my favorite part is?” Poppy asked.
“What?”
She touched the notebook gently. “You thought about us. About our future.” Her smile softened. “You really want forever with me.”
Branch looked at her like the answer should’ve been obvious.
“Of course I do.”
The sincerity in his voice made Poppy’s entire expression melt.
“I can’t wait to marry you either,” she whispered.
Something emotional flickered across Branch’s face at those words.
“You mean that?”
Poppy stared at him. “Branch. I would marry you tomorrow if you asked.”
He laughed softly, completely overwhelmed, before leaning forward and resting his forehead against hers.
“You have no idea what you do to me.”
Poppy smiled warmly. “Probably something dramatic.”
“Definitely dramatic.”
They stayed like that for a moment, tangled together on the bed while rain continued tapping softly outside the bunker windows.
Then Poppy suddenly brightened.
“Wait.”
Branch blinked. “What?”
She held up the notebook excitedly. “We should do all of these.”
His face softened immediately. “Yeah?”
“Yes! Every single one.” She grinned brightly. “And then after we get married, we can make another bucket list together.”
Branch stared at her for half a second like he physically couldn’t process how much he loved her.
“A married bucket list,” he repeated quietly.
“Mhm!”
Poppy’s excitement only grew as she continued rambling happily. “Like places we want to travel together and things we want to learn and adventures we want to have—”
Branch kissed her mid-sentence.
Poppy immediately melted against him with a soft laugh.
The kiss was slow and warm and deeply affectionate, Branch’s hands resting securely at her waist while Poppy curled closer against his chest. Every bit of embarrassment from earlier had disappeared now, replaced entirely with quiet happiness and overwhelming love.
When they finally pulled apart, Branch brushed his thumb gently along her cheek.
“I seriously can’t wait to marry you,” he murmured.
Poppy smiled so brightly it nearly hurt to look at.
“Well,” she teased softly, “good news. You only have a few more months.”
Branch groaned dramatically and pulled her closer again. “Too long.”
Poppy laughed warmly before kissing him once more, softer this time.
Outside, rain continued falling gently over Pop Village while inside the bunker, Branch held his fiancée close and realized maybe he never needed to worry about losing her in the first place.