Chapter Two: After the Great Idea

"I can't believe how many trolls want to be a part of our experiment, Branch!" Poppy squealed, hugging the survivalist so tightly he almost got a bruise.

With a goofy smile splattered on his face, Branch admired Poppy while she jumped around the bunker, tapping her feet excitedly on the floor, having a blast talking about Trollstopia.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" she hugged him again, which made him spill some of his coffee on the floor. "It would never have worked out without your support. You're the best-est, Branch!"

"Okay, I'm happy to help, but you've got to calm down," he said, half serious and half laughing at her effort to restrain the happiness outburst. Poppy bit her lower lip to avoid erupting in excitement once again. "I'll make some chamomile tea or you'll go like this for hours."

Letting herself completely boneless on a chair, with her hands on her cheeks, Poppy sighed in delight. Branch disappeared into the kitchen for a few minutes only to return to find her jubilation spilling out of her eyes in the form of tears.

"Are you okay?" he quickly handed her the tea, hoping it would be enough to calm her down.

"You'll stand by me, won't you?" Poppy asked, holding the tea with both her hands, feeling it warming up her palms and gently soothing her. "I mean, you weren't messing with me, right? You really didn't mean to be sarcastic." There was something about Branch that she learned over the years: he could keep his tough facade in public, but when they were alone, all his walls would shatter on the floor.

"I'm sorry about that. I'm going to work on it," chuckling, he sat down next to her, sipping his own coffee while she allowed the tea to work its magic. "But I meant it. I'll be there every step of the way. I'm sure in no time you'll get Trollstopia going strong."

" We will." Poppy blinked at him a few times, "Now I need you more than ever."

"Hun?" confusedly, he waited for her to continue.

"Well…" she lowered her voice, sitting a bit closer. "Now that the different tribes are here we need them to be friends."

"Ohhh…" Branch rolled his eyes. Of course she had to make sure they were all friends straight away. "I'm not very good with 'making friends' as you know. How do you need me for this one?"

"Okay, first: a giant pinata!" Poppy stood up, excitedly. Branch noticed, gladly, that the excitement wasn't as overwhelming as before, meaning the tea was already rushing through her system. "With everybody's names on it and we'll get them together in a buddy system."

Funnily enough, Branch did agree that it was a great idea… and not as over elaborate as her usual plans.

"... and then a Friend Forum!" while admiring her, Branch got lost at what she was trying to say. "With games and fun and everything to make them bound. As for plan C…."

"Wait, what?" furrowing his brows, the survivalist could see that the over-elaborate plan had always been there.

"Naturally, the door is something only you can come up with!" and Poppy did it again; she flattered him into agreeing with her absurd plan. Of course he was excited to show her that he could, indeed, design that door.

Finally she yawned and Branch grinned, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I'll get the Friend Forum and the door done by morning," Branch was quick to open the door to his bedroom, already going inside his closet to get pillows and covers to take the couch while she slept on his bed again.

The last time she had stayed over had been complete bliss to him. The following morning, after she left, he noticed that her perfume was all over his bedroom and his pillow had a marvelous strawberry scent that made him sleep soundly for days. He wanted to have that same experience again.

"I better go home," she blinked tiredly, stopping Branch from taking the bedsheets.

"You could stay," he blushed at his bold suggestion.

"No… Branch, c'mon," Poppy smiled at him, embarrassedly, scratching her arm. "I already took your bed that day and I still feel bad about it."

"I told you to take my bed," he pointed out.

"Well, yes, but I noticed how your back hurt from spending the night on the couch." Branch didn't reply to that. It was true, he had a killing backache that day, but he had thought she hadn't noticed.

And, approaching, Poppy timidly wrapped her arms around his neck, holding that sweet smile that made him melt inside.

"I'll be here by sunrise. You'll need your strength tomorrow," and, with another yawn and another hug, Poppy walked to the elevator, waving at him as she went to the surface.

Taking a deep breath, Branch sat on his bed, wondering if he should get a spare room to convince her to stay more often.