A/N: Hey guys. Been a long time I know. Sorry. Anyways I'm back and I dont know if I'll be able to put a lot of time into this cause I've started college, but I'm certainly going to try because I love you all. Anyways here's the next chapter.

The tension grew as Poppy and Branch walked to the Royal Pod to ask for King Peppy's aproval in the matter of Poppy moving in with Branch. King Peppy, who was happy to see them both, was confused as to why they seemed so nervous.

"What's the matter?" King Peppy asked concernedly.

"I, well, w-we just wanted to get your aproval, t-to know if Poppy could move into my bunker with m-me?" Branch stuttered out embaresedly.

"Branch, I know you feel safe in that bunker, but you are going to be king one day and you two need to be living in a Royal Pod. A king and queen need to be public figures. I will have construction started today, and for the time being, you may stay in your bunker. But once it is ready, you two need to move into the pod." King Peppy said.

"So that's a yes?" Poppy said excitedly.

"Indeed" said Peppy.

Poppy sensed that although Branch was happy, he was weighted down by the thought of not living in his bunker. She held his hand and kissed his cheek.

"Hey, I know you're scared that you won't be able to protect me outside the bunker, but it will be okay, I promise. We'll have royal guards and we will be safe, okay?," she said. And she continued, unsure of herself and afraid of his answer, "Un-unless you're having second th-thoughts about us?" she spit out and nearly began crying.

"Of course not," he said immediately, dashing her fears, as she let out a sigh of relief and kissed him quickly, yet passionately. "I'm just worried and nervous. It's been so long since I've lived in a pod. And I'm terrified of losing you so soon after just getting you back." He said.

She looked him straight in the eyes, and said "You'll never lose me. Never again." She said it so calmly and matter of factly that him worries dissapated.

They continued to head back to the bunker and consoled eachother with loving words and sweet kisses.

After hours in the bunker together and many more kisses, Poppy finally got up and said "Branch, I need to go talk to Creek... alone. He won't hurt me, but if you are there he will start another fight. i know you can handle yourself, but if he is busy fighting i wont be able to say what i need to say to him. Having said that, because I know it will make you feel safer, its okay if you follow behind, but dont let him see you, okay?"

"Okay," he said. "I don't like or trust him, but I do trust you. But if i sense anything, I'm tackling him first and asking questions later, deal?"

"Fine," she said, deciding not to say aloud that she actually enjoyed seeing Branch beat up Creek earlier. She still cared about Creek despite everything, but knowing that Branch could protect her and was willing to do whatever it took for her made her feel safer. She knee he could hear all this telepathically anyways, and saw a grin cross his face at the thought of her enjoyment of the beat down.

As Poppy walked to Creek's pod, even from his far off unseen vantage point, Branch kept thinking to her, "I love you, I love you, I love you." He could feel her blush and even let out a half giggle, attempting to stay silent.

"Creek, we need to talk." Poppy said while knocking on his door.

Creek walked out shirtless showing thr bruise on his side Branch had given him and he still had the bloody nose aswell.

"What?" He said rather rudely.

In the distance Branch was ready to beat him up again for disrespecting Poppy.

Sensing this, Poppy thought to him "Easy boy." and that calmed Branch.

"Listen, you either need to learn to respect what Branch and I have, or leave us alone. Option three is Branch kicks your ass again." Poppy said with a smirk, and the statement caused Branch to smile in the distance.

"I'm sorry Poppy. I really am. i was just frustrated because I lost the chance to be with you and confused at why you were with him. After all he's done to you. When I asked 'Why him?' I wasn't trying to mock you or him. it was a genuine question. And I'm asking it again now. Please, help me understand. Maybe then I can move on." He said, genuinely.

"Creek, I can go on listing all the qualities I love about Branch, for a literal eternity, but at the rnd of the day you still won't see those qualities yourself. All I can say is the heart wants what the heart wants. I hope you can accept that, because I do love you Creek. But as a friend. And I'm sorry, but its never going to be anything more than that." She said truely sorry for her friend.

"Okay Poppy," he said sadly, " I can accept that, but I need some time. I'll talk to you later." He said as he closed the door.

When they got back to the bunker Poppy started bawling. Branch just held her and pet her hair. "Its okay." he said and shushed her lovingly.

"Why? Why can't he just be supportive?" she asked as she cried more into his lap.

"Because he loves you. He can't help it. I'm not one to defend Creek, but I do understand what he is feeling. He feels rejected. The way I did before I realised I was your true love, and you were mine. Before I remembered. And more than that you are with me. And he always hated me. Always saw me as less than him because I didn't have my colors. And you choosing me over him makes him feel like he isn't good enough. It isn't your fault babe." He said as lovingly and supportively as he could.

He wiped the tears off her eyes and kissed her. She smiled as she looked into and drew strength from his icy eyes that were both cold and warm at the same time. They knew their Royal Pod would be finised before tomorrow night, so they fell asleep together and enjoyed their last night in the bunker.

A/N: Well, I hope you enjoyed it and I will try to keep writing when I have the time. Love ya.