In the upstairs bathroom Branch was brushing his teeth, spitting the water into the sink. he left the bathroom, letting Poppy have her turn, before heading to the guest room that Barb was so generous to let them stay in. Branch looked through his bag before setting it aside. not bringing any pajamas he decided to sleep in his underwear, crawling under the sheets of the guest bed, which was actually pretty big.
This was Branch's first time in Skull Castle, while his last visit was not hospitable, even he must admit things were looking up. the dessert was a surprise and it seemed from the little time that Poppy and He had spent with Barb she was actually trying to improve, asking about how things were going in Trollstopia.
Eventually Poppy came back, wearing her pajamas, blue with cupcakes on them as she did her evening streches, Branch looked at her, commenting how she looked cute in her sleepwear as she crawled into the bed with him.
The two had only gotten as far as cuddling in bed as well as a few kisses but even so, they felt weird doing it in a bed that was not their own. Branch looked over, asking Poppy what she wanted to do, just doze off now or do something to kill time. Poppy just looked him suggesting they cuddle.
Branch leaned in, kissing her, as she put her hands on his bare chest, which had a few small scars from him roughing it for 2 decades, admiring his firm muscles as he held her in his arms, the two nuzzling each other, pecking kisses on each other before falling asleep.
It was the next morning as Branch, opening his eyes, looking at the lump covered in blankets next to him, not saying anything to wake her up as he did his stretches, before getting out of the bed, Branch did his morning exercises, to stay in shape; consisting of pushups and sit ups.
The exercise helped Branch get ready for the morning as well as maintain his physique. after finished he did a few final stretches before plopping back first on the bed. Branch looked at the ceiling as he felt two hands wrapping around his stomach as he laid on his side, he knew Poppy enjoyed feeling his chest, as she would often compliment how well built, he was, due to his heathy diet and exercise, feeling her soft pajamas.
"You like to touch it don't you?" Branch asked feeling the arms which surprisingly felt thicker than usual it wasn't until he felt hair rubbing against him that something seemed off, by off the feeling of stubble rubbing against him. Branch turned around, pulling the covers.
"You?" Branch asked in confusing as the figure in the bed was not Poppy but instead Barb, wearing a pair of red long johns with a huge zipper on the front. his face bushed like a Glo-mato as she chuckled.
"Dude, the look on your face is priceless" Barb retorted as the closet door opened, Poppy was also laughing as Branch just sat there, asking for an explanation as Poppy chuckled, wishing she had a camera. Branch cleared his throat as she explained what went down.
It was 3 in the morning as Poppy woke up, feeling hungry as she craved a midnight snack, careful to not wake Branch up as she tip-toed out of the bedroom. Poppy remembered where the kitchen was from the tour as she opened the fridge, looking for something to eat, the leftover Fluffleberry cake looked appetizing but from experience it was to sour for her taste, instead reaching for a brownie.
"I Thought I was the only one up at this hour" Barb replied, flicking on the lights, holding a plate with a slice of the cake and a glass of milk as Poppy turned to face her.
"Aww, those jammies look so cute on you" Poppy let out, pointing out the soft fabric, clearly some sort of fleece, with a huge zipper on the front as the rocker turned around embarrassed, huge mistake.
"And they have a cute little butt-flap" Poppy said putting her hand on her cheeks as Barb grinded her teeth, saying they have personal meaning to her, Poppy explained that she did not think any less of Barb for wearing such cute jammies. the Rock queen was really wishing she put another pair on before coming down for her midnight snack.
"So how are things with you and Boytoy, you... done it yet?" Barb asked, picking a piece of cake with a fork as Poppy blushed, saying they had done many things, hugging outside of hug-time, cuddling even kissing, Barb drank a sip of milk.
"Figured" she replied, running her fork along the cake, picking off a piece and putting it in her mouth, admitting she had Poppy figured for a straight up good girl, enjoying her cake as the sour stench overwhelmed the Pop Queen.
"Come on Popsqueak, It's fluffleberry" Barb replied a bit confused as Poppy explained it was too sour for her, before asking way Barb kept calling her Popsqueak, walking up to Barb, putting on hand on their heads.
"In fact, I think I'm a bit taller than you" Poppy explained, comparing sizes, saying if anyone was a pipsqueak here, it was her as Barb huffed, saying Poppy had a few years on her. This piqued Poppy's interest, asking how old Barb was, as the Rocker blinked.
"You're never supposed to ask a girl her age" Barb retorted as Poppy pouted, giving the Rocker her cuddlepup eyes, which usually worked as no one could not look away, Barb sighed, admitting she was 20, compared to Poppy's 22 as Poppy was a bit surprised, admitting she did not become Pop queen until she was 21.
"I got crowned early, because of my Dad's poor health" Barb admitted, earning a response from Poppy.
"As interesting as this is, I'm more curious as to how Barb wound up in our bed" Branch interrupted as the redhead looked at him, clarifying it was technically HER bed, laying beside Branch.
"If you don't like it, you can sleep on the floor: Barb teased, suddenly pushing her legs, kicking Branch out of the bed as he hit the ground, both girls giggling. he rubbed his chest as he grumbled standing up. Poppy skipped a few details of the conversation getting to their plan.
After a while of talking Barb finished her milk, admitting to Poppy she was a bit jealous. Poppy had all these close friends and even a boyfriend who genuinely liked her. compared to herself who was mostly surrounded by subjects. as Poppy made the mistake of asking if Barb ever had a boyfriend.
"When I was young, like 13, all the boys wanted me and some girls. It wasn't because of me or anything but mostly because I was just the Princess. like I was some sort of trophy... and that put me off dating. If I was going to be with someone long term, I'd want them not to care about my status but love me for me, not my crown" Barb admitted, Poppy was shrieking internally as they were having gal talk, about their feelings.
"That's why I'm kind of jealous of you and Branch, he doesn't really care that you're the queen, he's not afraid to call out your bull, or disagree with you. Me, well... like I said they just tell me what I want to hear" Barb admitted as Poppy actually felt a bit bad for her. realizing how she got lucky with Branch, their contradicting personalities were like magnets, clicking together.
"Hey, Barb... I have this crazy idea" Poppy thought, whispering into the Rocker's ear as upon hearing the plan her eyes opened wide. she looked at Poppy, saying that was the sneakiest, more surprising and unexpected thing she heard Poppy suggest.
"Let's do it" Barb grinned, Poppy explained that when they she got back. Branch was out like a light, so Poppy slinked off, staying in the closet while Barb took her spot in the bed, with Branch being none the wiser.
"Wow, I just wow" Branch said, not sure if he should be more surprised that Poppy suggested the plan or that Barb actually went through with it.
"Hey, you were the one who wanted to spice up things in the bedroom" Poppy retorted to Branch who took a deep breath explaining by spicing it up he meant, her wearing lingerie or doing something kinky, not tricking him into sleeping with another girl, let alone another Queen as Barb got out of the bed, blowing a raspberry at Branch.
Poppy was ecstatic, seeing this childish and playful side of the rocker as she said she was gonna head back to her room and change before breakfast, leaving the two. Poppy waved at her.
"She's certainly more than meets the eye" Poppy admitted, impressed by the Rock Queen, who was starting act more trolly as she pulled Branch up, suggesting they get dressed as he was only in his underwear as Branch covered himself with the covers.
"I Still can't believe you... with her... and me" Branch fumbled his words as Poppy looked at him, saying it was just a prank, it's not like they cheated on the other. Poppy explained, claiming it wasn't a big deal and she held nothing against Branch.
"You don't get to decide that Poppy, me sleeping with Barb is a huge deal, to me. we cuddled and all that time I thought she was you" Branch explained saying it was clearly wrong as Poppy put her arms up, admitting she should have thought about Branch's feelings.
Branch let it slide, knowing she did not mean anything by it and dwelling on it would only make things worse. the two got dressed and decided to head down for breakfast before leaving for Paradise Island. they passed by Barb on the stairs, wearing her usual attire as Branch looked at her.
"Just to clarify, things aren't gonna be awkward between us?" he asked as Barb chuckled at him, dismissing what happened. claiming he was out like a light, and nothing happened. he didn't even see anything.
"But you did, my...everything" Branch trailed off as Barb claimed she had already forgotten about it.
"Seriously Poppy, your Boyfriend, he's packing a breadbox" Barb teased, while Branch was happy the two queens were bonding, he was a bit sore it was about a joke at his expense.
"Hey Boytoy, if it's any consolation I'll let you see me in my new bikini" Barb teased as Branch rolled his eyes not really interested.
(A/N: I'm stating this now, Branch and Poppy are not going to break up or anything. Barb is just teasing Branch and Poppy knows this. also, there is going to be a Broppy centered subplot as well is Barb potentially finding someone)