"You're not running away from this. You will say sorry to Poppy, Shelliot, and that's final." No, Branch wasn't the kind of pet owner who would ground the innocent animal, but the small green turtle offered an explanation when their connection became too strong for them to go back. To start their own relationship right, Shelliot confessed having a previous relationship with Poppy… and betraying her in the end.

Branch was confused when he saw the personalized bowl broken in half and it took one raise of eyebrows for Shelliot to spill it all out. A heavy understanding feeling fell between pet and pet owner after Poppy ran away in tears

"No, I'm not as guilty as you are. You should have told me you were seeing Poppy first and after a proper break up we could have played fetch. Hopefully after this you will learn your lesson."

Not that Branch was secure about his plan. He fixed the bowl, added three cupcakes and stopped walking when they stood right in front of Poppy's pod. It was dark and she would probably be getting ready for bed. He wondered if he should intrude.

Well… he couldn't let his girlfriend sleep brokenhearted.

"Excuse me, Poppy?" Branch called before walking in.

"Hey, Branch. C'mon in." Poppy replied in a cheerful voice that made him release his breath - which he didn't realize he was holding in the first place.

It was a bit late for cleaning up, but Poppy was vacuuming her bed. Tiny pink fur was stuck all over it and some claw marks were sewed. The sewing kit was still on her white fluffy table.

"Just a sec. I'm finishing up." Poppy said loudly so she would be heard even with the vacuum cleaner on. She double-checked the side of the bed, then her pillow - both sides - and voilá: the fur was completely gone. She turned to her boyfriend with a radiant smile. "And… done. How can I help you?"

"Ah…" Shelliot and Branch exchanged a quick look before focusing on a suspiciously happy Poppy. Did they miss something? "Well… Since the events this afternoon were… confusing… and a bit disturbing, Shelliot and I decided to come and apologize."

"I see." Poppy giggled and sat down. She cutely hugged her knees and it was when Branch realized she had her thoughts on the clouds, like she was enamored with something else. That raised a red flag on his part. "Branch and Shelliot, I've made a mistake this afternoon so I'm the one who should apologize."

"What?" Branch asked and Shelliot squeaked in unison.

"Really. It was all my fault. You guys obviously have a great connection and I am happy for you." Unbeknownst to Poppy, her happiness and acceptance ruined their apology plans, which made it a little difficult to continue without revealing the surprise that they were hoping to give her at the end of their conversation.

"Well…" Branch approached and a hesitant turtle retreated inside its shell. "The thing here is, Shelliot told me everything about the relationship you guys had before we bumped into each other." Curiously, Poppy's smile didn't fade one bit, which made Branch notice that his armpits were getting a little sweaty. "I swear it was unintentional."

"I know." Poppy leaned forward to pet Shelliot. The poor thing looked as confused as Branch, but he accepted to be petted anyway. "Such darlings you both are, you would never hurt me on purpose."

"That's… not what I was expecting, but… okay?" Branch wanted to sit down by Poppy's side, but now sweating like he was, he thought it would be better to keep his distance. She had just cleaned her bed after all. Hair, he was mumbling on his own mind. What - the Hair - was going on with Poppy?

"I realized my connection with Shelliot was because he reminds me so much of you."

"I look like a turtle?!" Now he was standing on a puddle of sweat. Great.

"No, silly…" Poppy giggled and retreated her hand to play with a hair strand. The way she swirled it on her fingers left no room for mistakes. She was flirting. Someone - who wasn't him because he was so obviously busy getting to know Shelliot the whole day - had swept her off her feet! "Well… a little. But I meant your spirits."

And oddly, it was Shelliot who nudged Branch, taking him off his shock so he would remember the patched bowl.

"Ah, good then. I guess." Nervously, and his nose going itchy announcing tears were on their way, Branch reached inside his hair and took the cute personalized bowl Poppy had made earlier. "I fixed it."

"Oh, Branch, you're so sweet." Poppy stood to hug him, but he stepped back. The last thing he wanted was to gross her out.

"Ah, you need to see this first," He said in a high-pitched voice, which made Poppy lower her arms and take the bowl instead. He waited until her eyebrows shot up in surprise when she saw the small Branch character next to Poppy and Shelliot.

His girlfriend curiously stared at him.

"Shelliot and I were talking and our connection is as real as yours so…" The poor turtle looked embarrassed, with his cheeks going pink. "We thought that… we wanted to suggest… Shelliot would be our BPF. Not just mine… you know…"

Poppy blinked and Branch noticed he was fidgeting.

"You know… sometimes couples get a pet together…" Branch desperately wanted to explain it before Poppy thought he was pitying her. That was what was happening wasn't it? Poppy thought he was feeling sorry for her. "I personally would start with a plant - no offense Shelliot - it's much safer for a relationship, but it all happened so fast and…"

"Branch, stop."

The survivalist and the turtle hugged each other. Every cell on their bodies were alert at what was coming next.

"It's an honor. I would love to be a part of it." And she smiled sweetly, making them relax, but just slightly.

Shelliot squeaked in happiness. If he wasn't a turtle, Branch would swear the thing had started hopping out of the Royal Pod chanting a victory song.

"He's adorable." Poppy came closer again, still holding the bowl. "Then I guess I should introduce you to Perky."

"Who's Perky?" Branch asked, frowning. There it was. The one who was trying to steal Poppy's heart. He knew there was something off.

"She's a grin-chilla." Poppy's eyes sparkled and she batted her long eyelashes. "We've met today and we're getting to know each other. You'll love her."

Oh… so Poppy managed to get a BPF on her own…

"She's a little wild, but she says she'll visit often." Poppy squealed and Branch finally relaxed, understanding that who had stolen his girlfriend's heart was another pet.

He left the pod under the pretext that he had to show Shelliot how to get inside the bunker on his own.

The apology had worked out.

And now he and Poppy had a pet together. That was a great relationship improvement. It was another step up to the serious status they were building. He had arrived with such a heavy heart and now he was leaving so light and so relieved.

Relieved and in desperate need of a shower.