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The afternoon was peaceful. The wind drifted in the right direction, the sun bathed the landscape in a warm glow, and there wasn't a single disaster in Pop Village. The meadow, far away from everyone else, was a quiet, gentle place for anyone seeking a break from the worries of everyday life.
Branch lay on the grass, enjoying the cool touch of the breeze, surrounded by beautiful pink poppies. His blue eyes were fixed on the sky, his expression unreadable—not because he felt nothing, but because in that moment he felt like part of the lonely forest that had raised him ever since he was a child and had lost everything.
As far back as he could remember, the forest had been his safe place. It was where he had grown up, where he had rooted himself and bloomed into a black rose bush covered in thorns, protecting himself from anything—or anyone—that might hurt him.
But none of that mattered anymore. He wasn't alone now, he was loved and he couldn't wait for Poppy to arrive so he could share his special place with her.
Poppy.
The reason he was there in the first place. Branchwas lonely. Lost and only a step away from slowly giving up. He spent years living in a gray world. He was a mess, constantly afraid, adding stick after stick to the walls of his fortress so nobody could break through. Then he met that lovely pink charm running through the forest as well, she took his heart and repaired it with pieces of her own. Suddenly, it was like he was healed. He never known what it meant to love someone... until he met her.
Of course, he remembered how much he used to tremble and stumble over his words whenever he tried to tell her how much he adored her. Even as he began to heal, he was still afraid of the most human thing within him:His feelings.
And Poppy did something nobody else in his life had ever done. She stayed.
Even when everything was dark and he had no idea how to make himself okay. It was all so... confusing. So uncomfortable, even.
How had things gone from not mattering at all to the Queen of Pop becoming the most important person in his life? How had he gone from rejecting affection and clinging to isolation to suddenly hugging her, calling her sweet names, and sharing his heart with her? How had he gone from preferring to suffer alone to letting her into the most vulnerable parts of himself?
It took longer than he thought it would, much longer. And it hadn't been easy to open up to his beloved Poppy or tell her about the storms he carried inside. But here they were, together and happy.
Yet peace, no matter how precious, was always vulnerable to disruption...and Branch's insecurities proved it more than ever.
Branch sat up from the grass, wrapping his arms around his knees. He looked toward the sun. More time had passed than they had agreed upon, and she still hadn't arrived.
The day before, Poppy had rushed off before their date ended, almost as if she had been trying to avoid something. She had said she needed to clear her head and take care of a few important things. Branch frowned. Did anyone know what she meant?
He asked if they could at least meet this afternoon, and she had simply laughed and said,
"Of course we can."
Branch wanted to believe she had merely needed to finish some real responsibilities. Maybe the village needed her. Maybe she couldn't stay as long as she wanted, maybe she didn'twanted to leave him at all.
But then another thought crept in.
Why would Poppy want to stay with him? What did he have to offer besides simple, pathetic affection that any other Troll in the village could give her? Surely there were others who could love her better. Without fear or difficulty.
Branch gave everything he had. He fought, tried his hardest to be the best boyfriend he could be for her. But he knew he couldn't be what she needed, he was stuck in a dream.
A dream where he was all of those things and more. A dream where he could shine like Poppy did, where he could be a star instead of the moon that only reflected the light of others.
Maybe that was why she was late, because she had realized she belonged to a different dream, maybe she had grown tired of him.
He hugged his knees tighter.Time passed, an hour late now, still no sign of Poppy. Branch breathed out sadly, his fragile heart ached,he tried to stay hopeful. She would come, she loved him, Poppy told him every day, she wouldn't lie about that. Surely something had simply delayed her, she had to arrive.
He was here, ready to uphold his promise never to abandon her and never to hurt her. Every day Branch made promises that plagued Poppy's heart, so he could watch her fall apart from all the love he carried for her, it was meant to show her that she didn't made a mistake. That she would always be cherished and nobody could hurt them while they were together, he would always try to be whatever they needed so they could be happy.
But...
Time kept passing and Poppy still hadn't arrived.
Now it was beginning to worry him. Doubts started to appear and fear followed close behind.
She wasn't planning on not coming...Right?
Branch lowered his head and hugged himself tighter.
His breathing grew heavier, his eyes tensed, his face twisted with fear.
What if she wasn't coming? What if she was avoiding him?...What if she was ready to tell him they were over? What if she'd gotten bored and was ready to leave him? What if she'd realized he wasn't worth loving?
A sob escaped him, then another and his body began to shake.
No,no.
She was probably already on her way.
She wasn't going anywhere.
She promised him.
She told him she'd always stay by his side.
Poppy didn't lie.
She loved him...She loved him like a dog...
Darkness began to surround him.
A deep sadness crept into his chest,a painful reality he didn't want to face.
What if she really wasn't coming? What if she'd already found someone better?
Why did this always happen to him? Why did everyone who said they loved him eventually leave?
Was she angry with him?
Did he failed to make her happy?
Did he made a mistake?
"Branch!" A sudden weight wrapped around him in a hug.
He jumped in surprise and turned his head, hisheart came back to life.
"Poppy..." Branch breathed softly.
He quickly wiped at his face, hoping she hadn't seen his tears—not out of embarrassment, but because he didn't want to worry her.
"Good afternoon, sweetheart." She kissed him briefly on the lips "...Sorry. I thought you might've gotten tired of waiting for me." The Pop Queen admitted it with a gentle laugh "Forgive me for being late. Viva and I were supposed to make bracelets this morning, but you know how heavily she sleeps."
"Yeah... she... sleeps a lot..." Branch replied, still shaken...he didn't want her to let go.
"And we ended up making them later than planned. But I'm here now." She sat down beside him on the soft grass "Oh! By the way... surprise!" Poppy reached into her dress pocket and pulled something out.
It was one of the bracelets she'd made with Viva.
The charms were violet, green, and mint-colored, and at the center were letter beads spelling out the name of its new owner.
"Branch <3"
"Poppy...?" Branch took it carefully, unable to break free from his daze.
"I made it especially for you." She smiled innocently "It has your favorite colors. I couldn't find a heart charm, so I had to improvise. I wanted to use a candy instead, but Viva said it would wear out eventually... or that I'd probably eat it on the way back" She laughed awkwardly "But I really hope you like it."
Branch didn't answer. His gentle blue eyes remained fixed on the gift.
The reason for her delay.
A reason completely unrelated to all the fears that had tormented him.
Carefully, he tightened his grip on the bracelet before slipping it around his wrist. It fit perfectly.
That was when Poppy noticed tears gathering in his eyes beneath a crystal-clear smile.
"Branch...?"She looked at him with concern "Is... everything okay?"
Before she could say anything else, Branch threw himself into her arms, hugged her as if he were clinging for dear life, stroked her pink hair, hiding his face between her shoulder and neck.
"Yes... everything's okay, my love..." His voice trembled with tenderness and relief."You have no idea how happy I am that you're here..."
Poppy looked confused at first but after hearing those words, her expression softened, she returned the embrace and let out a quiet giggle while rubbing the green Troll's back.
"You're so corny."
"I can stop if you want me to, my queen."Branch asked without letting go, happily basking in her affection.
"No..."
Poppy replied softly as Branch shed his final tears.
"Not at all."