51. Key to his Heart

There was a knock on the trapdoor and Branch set his steaming hot cup of coffee down to check on who was disturbing his peace and quiet. He had spent days alone. The familiarity of having everything under control in his own home was a great consolation for days when he felt like being his own company.

To first great surprise, and somewhat scary revelation, the one who was knocking, holding a big basket full of cupcakes was no one other than his endearing girlfriend. Poppy had a big smile and unreadable eyes, meaning she was purposely hiding what she was feeling at the moment.

"Poppy!" Branch stepped outside, grabbing the neatly wrapped gift that was quickly placed on his hands. "Why did you knock?"

"I didn't want to disturb you." She answered with that shy side smile he loved and feared. "You've been busy lately, but I felt like coming here to invite you to the Laugh Out Bout. It's great to take the mind out of the problems… not that you have a problem."

Feeling that the non-stoppable blabbing was just about to start pouring out of her mouth, Branch watched when his pink girlfriend bit her lower lip to restrain herself and turned around, ready to march out of his sight before she made a fool of herself.

"Poppy, wait." He took her hand, stopping her from leaving so soon. "I want to participate. I..." Branch remembered the delightful night of jokes, pies and pranks he had with Cloud Guy a few days before. The happy rush he felt after that made him lighter and he was able to clear his mind for a while. "I need a few laughs."

Not that he was good with jokes. The nerdiness in him made him think of jokes that only a few trolls would be knocked out, but he wanted to be there, closely watching every funny thing a troll could come up with.

"May I be the referee?"

Poppy's big magenta eyes lit up at his suggestion. She clasped her hands together and a foot raised from the ground, melting Branch's insides with the sight. Hair… he should kiss her. He missed kissing her.

"Yes!" She squealed with joy. "You'll be great as a referee, Branch! I'll tell everyone!" With a quick peck on his cheek, she rushed back to the busy part of the city, barely holding her happiness inside her.

Yes, Branch realized he needed to have some entertainment that didn't evolve bunker maintenance (although he couldn't complain, after all, he finally was able to complete the boring task of changing all the plumbing system). Some fresh air, some time away from the frightening nightmares. Brand new things to think about would work wonders to restore the happy pop troll inside him.

The announcement of the Laugh Out Bout was a success. Poppy loved the trophy he had come up with and Branch kicked a pebble around until he was back in the bunker.

The trapdoor looked like it had always been. Welcoming and guarding his home from invaders.

His home…

It was so big, with so many storerooms, with his own bedroom bigger than an average troll's pod. The living room was enormous, he could easily throw a party inside like he had tried a couple of times before. He had enlarged his garage enough to fit as many trolls as the underground structure would allow.

And yet, it was empty.

Poppy knocking and not straight entering had been puzzling him since the day before. She was not feeling homey anymore, was she? Not even speaking that he wanted her there - to live with him - was enough to make her feel welcomed.

It wasn't his idea to push her away. He just didn't want his girlfriend to stay the night until he was done getting rid of the intrusive nightmares. Even thinking that she might see the conditions he was waking up every morning was enough to make him want to crawl into a hole in the ground.

He couldn't bear the shame.

And yet, while he felt incredibly alone, when he slept missing a goodnight kiss and craved for her hugs the last seconds before sleep claimed him, it seemed the nightmares only grew stronger.

Could it be time for him to open up for her?

Could he open the door and let her in without thinking about her judgment?

Branch needed Poppy.

He needed her inside the bunker and in his heart.

Oh… cupcakes. Metaphor.

Branch put his binoculars down. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Cooper wouldn't stop laughing and Poppy - by all that is troll-y - was doing exactly what he would do when he was annoyed!

She was playing puzzles, for Hair's sake! She was drinking coffee, looking like she had little patience left! Oh, he was so proud of her! The bubbly queen was actually capable of other moods when her friends were around!

There was no mistake why she was the right troll for him!

He reached for his pocket, taking the key he had copied for her and decided to do his best to ignore Cooper. He needed to tell Poppy that she was allowed inside the bunker. He had to say it at that moment before he lost his courage.

"Poppy?" Branch called, ignoring Cooper as much as Cooper ignored him. Poppy was sitting down, looking at a puzzle and actually frowning!

"Oh, Branch. You're a sight for sore eyes." She tried to joke, but she was obviously in a sour mood.

"I'm not even going to ask." He pointed at Cooper and his girlfriend rolled her eyes, showing him that she couldn't do much about her goofy friend.

"Do you need help with anything that doesn't include laughs?"

Her pod had changed since the last time he visited. He didn't remember the chair, the side table or the pile of books that she had been reading. Had he been away that long?

"Poppy, look." He grabbed her hand in his and sat down on her carpeted floor, having his girlfriend following him in curiosity. "I know I asked you to stay outside the bunker, but I can't take the distance anymore."

"Branch, it's okay, if you need space…"

"... no. That's exactly what I don't need." His heart thundered inside his chest. Cooper's laugh faded to a mere nuisance in the background. Poppy pursued her lips to avoid interrupting him again. "I even made you a key," And quietly, he took her hand and placed a key on her palms. "I want you there. I want you to get inside the bunker anytime you feel like it. I meant when I said I want it to be your home, too."

"Aww… Branch…" Looking at her knees, with a hand over her heart, Poppy silenced once more so he could continue.

"I do have mad feelings about the bunker, but I do not feel territorial about it when it comes to you… because… you already own it. I mean, you own my heart and… and that's when it hit me, all this time, the bunker has kinda been a metaphor for my heart." and reaching out his hand, he could see that Poppy was finally understanding his point.

"Yes, oh, yes, Branch." Gosh, he wanted to hug her so tight, but Cooper was still laughing… "that's huge."

"So, what I came here to say is that all doors are open for you."

"Thank you," Her teary eyes matched his own. There was nothing both wanted more at that moment than to be left alone, to be able to kiss and show all the love they had for one another. "I'll spend the night," and with a quick glance at their laughing friend… "well… as soon as this issue is dealt with."

Later that night, as he ate a salad before bed, Branch regretted telling Poppy all that while she was busy with Cooper. It was true he was too anxious to get it out of his chest, but he had hoped she would come over and they would cuddle until they fell asleep.

At least he got that part out of his chest.

Poppy had her key.

He could hardly wait for the bout's post party.