The second sleepover

"Oooh, Tiny was so happy with his new bike." Poppy squealed for the fourth time as she walked by Branch's side.

The survivalist stole quick glances at his girlfriend, wondering if he should take her hand as they walked. They were a couple and they were taking a night stroll… well… not exactly a stroll, they were walking back home, but… somehow it still felt romantic, even with the unsettling feeling that their secret was going to be discovered.

"We should watch out for Laguna." Branch lowered his voice when the noise of the calm waves of the Techno Lagoon reminded him that they had an explorer on the loose.

"We will be discreet. No worries there." Poppy replied. She stopped when they arrived at the usual bifurcation that led to her pod. "I guess this is goodnight."

"No." Branch protested, quickly grabbing her hand. "You will stay in the bunker tonight."

"But…"

"We're in this together." Branch pointed out. "We need to align the plan in case she interrogates us."

"Oh…" Poppy looked down. The sudden happiness that invaded her by Branch's firm demand failed to resist the explanation why he wanted her to stay. And he noticed.

"And I miss the cuddles." He said too fast, flushed. He looked at both sides of the road to make sure they weren't being eavesdropped.

Poppy's small hands trailed down his arm. Branch stopped breathing for a second. She laced their fingers together and looked up at him, smiling coyly and blinking a little more than necessary.

"I'll stay over."

Still blushing, Branch wrapped an arm around her, resting his fingers on her waist and they started walking together towards the bunker.

ooo next day ooo

"Ouch." Poppy hissed, but Branch was merciless at attending the small cut she had gotten on her elbow when they collided that afternoon.

They were inside her pod, where it was closer to hide their shame. Branch blew the stinging wound, but it was no use. The bruised ego made physical injuries hurt more.

"Are you hurt?" Poppy placed a hand on his cheek to inspect him. They had fallen from quite a height and he ended up cushioning her.

"I'm fine." He sat back on her bed; eyes fixed on the ceiling. It was fun while it lasted, he thought. It was a good thing he had with Poppy and it felt interesting to share that secret for a while. For blissful moments he forgot he was an adult troll who had real problems. During the delighted opportunities they had to make someone smile, he felt young again, like his entire world revolved around him, Poppy and fun games.

"Would you stay tonight?" Poppy quietly asked.

Branch was startled at her question. The previous night she had stayed at the bunker, like he had asked, but she was secure in her own bedroom, while he locked the door of his own, fearing he might wake up screaming. He was lucky enough the dream was a mild one.

But he didn't consider staying in her pod, where he would be open and vulnerable. Where there wasn't an extra room for him to retreat in shame. And they would need to share her bed.

It was just like the day she had broken her hair. She had asked for him to stay and he hesitated. She looked disappointed and resented asking in the first place. Branch could see it all happening like a flashback.

He was not going to let her be sad again.

"Do you happen to have brought some of my clothes?" He asked, but he knew the answer. Poppy's suddenly red cheeks also answered in her place. He noticed he had at least three missing shirts and a pair of night boxers that could be found nowhere.

"I've emptied one of my drawers and put some of your clothes there." Poppy bit her lower lip and played with her fingers, trying to look less guilty than possible, but it turned out, she was just being incredibly cute.

"Oh…" Branch was taken aback, but stood up anyway. Poppy pointed at the second drawer on her dresser and he opened it. "Now I have a drawer…"

"It's not as big as the room you made for me…"

No, it wasn't. But it's not like she could add an extra room to a tiny pod. The drawer, well… It was something small, but it meant so much. It meant he could come over any time he wanted. It meant he could drop by unannounced.

It meant it was his home, too.

Her bathroom was different from his. It was the second time he showered there, but once again he was amused by the mountain of hygiene products she had. If he thought the bunker was packed with four or five different types of shampoo, he was bewildered to find out there was a specific soap for feet.

Why did her feet need special soap anyway?!

The smell of her bathroom was also a wonder. While his own bathroom smelled like… well… bathroom… hers seemed to have a sweet marshmallow fragrance. He was suspicious the perfume was from a spray that was half used under the sink, but it still amused him how she cared so much about the tiniest details.

He reached for the liquid soaps and was startled by a familiar blue one. Looking closer, he found that it was a male's soap and the perfume was green apples.

Just like the one he had at home.

She had brought one for him in case he wanted to drop by. He quickly resumed the washing and scrubbing, noticing that he was getting dangerously emotional. He simply refused to cry in her bathroom.

Taking deep breaths to get his hormones under control, Branch got dressed and left the bathroom, scolding - the only effective expression that could fight an emotional turmoil.

And once again, Poppy managed to tear his resolution in half. She was standing - wearing the yellow pajamas he knew so well - lightening a couple of candles on her table. She had prepared a cheese pie, a salad and two blueberry cupcakes for dessert.

"Are you hungry?" She asked, breathlessly.

Branch noticed she was as nervous as he was.

He sat down next to her and decided to make it as easy as possible. He was aware there were at least twenty pairs of eyes watching them from the neighbor pods and it was smothering enough.

"Is it that delicious cheese pie you made the other day?" Branch sat down and put one slide on a plate. He placed it in front of Poppy and got another for himself. "I was wondering when I'd taste it again."

"Oh…" Poppy relaxed and served him a cup of lemonade. "You can always ask and I'll bake one for you."

Atmosphere successfully lightened; Branch cheered in his mind. The pie was indeed delicious and he indulged more conversation about how happy he was to have had that small secret with her.

"Busted or not, it was fun while it lasted."

"I'm feeling so ashamed to be caught." Poppy pushed her empty plate away and buried her face in her hands.

"Guess what?" Branch swallowed the last piece of cupcake and stretched a reassuring hand for her. "We're in this together."

The labored smile relaxed. Both trolls finally forgot there was a world outside and once the lights went out, they crawled under the covers, finding the spots they were most comfortable with.

Poppy found that place on his chest and Branch decided it would be better to wrap an arm around her back and hold her as close as possible, like a giant teddy bear.

The fresh night breeze invaded the pod and Poppy pulled the covers up to their chins. Branch inevitably remembered when he was just a trolling and he used to sleep watching the stars from the Troll Tree.

Hair… he wished his grandma had met Poppy.

A small kiss on his cheek brought him to the present time. He looked down at his girlfriend, who was quietly watching him in the dark.

"You're the best." Poppy said and Branch had to fight the humble urge to reply that no, she was the best. Which was true, but he wouldn't start an endless loop of adoration at that hour.

"Whatever happens tomorrow, we're here for each other." Raising her hand to his lips, he placed a small reassuring kiss there.

Funny… he was so much better at comforting than accepting to be comforted.

And with his focus totally turned to his beloved girlfriend, Branch felt his eyelids getting heavy.

The next morning, he woke up curled against her back. His arms were around her waist and his nose was buried in her hair.

After weeks, he realized he didn't have a nightmare. Bringing a sleeping Poppy even closer for a snuggle, he smiled in relief.