Premise:
As dark as his life may be, Branch is thankful for all the joy Poppy had given him. Even if it was for a short while. It makes him happy he had these moments with her. Even when he knew he had to leave her.
Warning! This story might be upsetting for some people. Reader discretion is advised.
"Hold still, will you?"
"Your kneeling on my hand."
"Oh, sorry! Just... give... me a moment..." She mumbled, braiding most of his short hair as she moved to kneel behind him. Branch rolled his eyes, shifting a bit on his bed as she worked her magic on his hair.
"Poppy, they're gonna fall off sooner or later anyway."
"That's why I'm doing this!"
"You're gonna miss my hair?"
"Yep." Her cheerful smile gave comfort in his heart. As she kneeled behind him, he let his body relax close to her. It felt nice to feel her fingers in his hair, her warmth surrounding his soul in an embrace.
For the past few days, she had been visiting him nonstop. Showing and telling him whatever she had done from work till she got home. He'd listen to her, happy for her to be there beside him. He wanted to keep these memories in his heart, wishing for a moment that he was at home with her and not at the hospital room.
It felt cold here. Lonely and cold.
As soon as she was finished, she wrapped her arms around him, giving him gentle kisses to his temple and cheek. He let his hand rest on hers as she slowly swayed them both to a small dance.
Ever since the day that we first met
God created love that he had kept
Now that I commit to you my life
We can only love each other more and more in time
She closed her eyes, whispering the song in his ear as they moved together.
You are loved
You are loved
And nothing's gonna change that, I will
Love you till we're old and gray
And I'll love you when we're young
Don't be scared, it's alright
God has given us this love
And he will never let it fall apart
He will never leave our side
"You're making yourself depressed again." He mumbled as he finally let his head rest on her chest. She buried her face in his hair, kissing his scalp, a soft smile on her lips. To be with him, she felt at peace again. The bed was too cold without him and the defeaning silence engulfed her in an unbearable chilling sensation.
She wanted to cry right there, but she held it in. Keep him happy. Make him happy. That was her goal. She can cry later when she's alone. When Branch isn't looking. He shouldn't worry about her. She'll be okay.
Suddenly, she stood up and took both of his hands, tugging for him to stand up with her.
"Dance with me, Branch." Her sweet smile giving him butterflies like the day he first met her. He chuckled as he followed along, singing the second verse, both swaying to the beat.
Every time you look into my eyes
I can see the passion you've acquired
Because everything you do you do with love
And every day you make me feel inspired to ignite
His voice happy and loud in the room as they both sang the chorus together.
You are loved
You are loved
And nothing's gonna change that, I will
Love you till we're old and gray
And I'll love you when we're young
Don't be scared, it's alright
God has given us this love
And he will never let it fall apart
He will never leave our side
Their movements, once languid became more energetic, as he started to spin them around along with the song.
And I'm falling more in love with you
Poppy giggles as she sang with him.
I'm falling more in love with you
They slowly stopped their spinning, giggling and laughing as they let their foreheads and nose touch.
I'm falling more in love with you
Every time
Branch sang the song under his breath, both of their eyes on each other's lips.
That we close our eyes
We dream of life
His smile slowly fading
"And together we'll..." he couldn't sing the next with the lump suddenly in his throat, tears in his eyes. "I wish I can be..." He mumbled, his breath tickling her nose. She kissed him sweetly, stopping whatever thought he had. "I love you." She whispered, her hold getting tighter around his neck.
"I love you most." He muttered to her ear, kissing her cheek to her nose. Their dance slowed to a stop, both stood hugging each other close. Her ear listening to the beat of his heart as his cheek on her head, the scent of her shampoo in his nostrils. Both of them, forgetting the fact they were at the hospital.
The happiness she was giving him was immense and he couldn't help feel guilty. All this and for what? He wasn't gonna last long. When he's gone, what'll happen to her? Be sad and gray, reliving memories of him, holding onto someone who can't give back the love she gave him?
He swallowed the lump in his throat and spoke, his hands trembling. "Poppy, you can still leave. I'm a lost cause. I'm not gonna -" She let's go of him, her hands still on his shoulders. Her intense gaze on him. This is what should be happening. Her with someone else, who could give her a life. A happy family with whatever pet they want, kids and someone who will be there when she's old.
"What?!"
"Pops, you can have a more better life without me -" He stops talking as soon as he saw her glare deepening, tears in her eyes.
"Stop talking as if you're going to die -"
"But I am!" He let's go of her, his arms on his sides, looking ashamed to speak loudly at her. "I'm not gonna last long, Pop." He said in a brittle voice.
"You're not, okay? If this treatment is gonna work, I hope... I know you're gonna survive this." She had her hand on her chest, holding back her tears.
"And no! I'm staying right here. This is where I want to be..." A tear fell, her lips trembling. "So don't ever tell me to go away, Branch." Her expression finally softening. She hugged him once again, this time with the gentleness as if she was holding his fragile heart in her hands. He couldn't hold back the tears anymore and pulled her close, muffling his sobs in her hair.
Whatever's gonna happen in the future, she'll be there to give him the smile, the comfort, the help in his state, and he couldn't feel ever more grateful for her presence in his whole life. He just wished to have all the time in the world, to be forever in her arms, to return the gesture, the encouragement, and every little thing she did for him.
He just wished time would stop or life would give him a second chance.
Author's Note:
Hi there! How are you feeling?
Why do I sound like a psychiatrist - ANYways... wow. I had this one in my noggin for a while, like the rest of 'em. And... cancer is a horrible horrible thing. I wanted the story to feel that dire inevitability of death coming closer and the people around you... supporting you, making you smile in your last moments. It was like that movie, "Me Before You". Something like that. This was inspired from a lot of songs. Death Bed by Powfu, Cancer by My Chemical Romance, and You Are Loved by Matthew Mole which is the song they were singing. Give them a try, if you haven't heard of them.
Appreciate all the love you guys! Thank you for your delicious thoughts. And DwaleBerrry5, dude if only you knew the high I felt when I saw the notification on my phone. It was like the biggest thing to ever happen to me in that moment. Thank you to you too!
GIRL IN BLUE?! What?! I have no words. Hello! XD I'm a big fan! Bigger than Biggie.
I just realized. Why is someone dead in every single story I made? Good question, me. I have no explanation XD Next time, no one's gonna die (hopefully).
So I guess... leave a heart? Give a follow if you wanna be notified on the next upload or send me a comment or private message about your thoughts on this story. It's a wild ride, I know. If you have an idea for a story and want me to write it, send me a comment or PM it to me.
Lots of love to you guys! Thank you, truly, for the love. It means so much to me. See you on the next upload :)