He could hardly believe it when his brothers asked him to write their next album, JD had always been the songwriter of the family back when the brothers were younger. Branch didn't want to disappoint them and promised that he would have a couple of songs to show them by the end of the week; that was six days ago. Branch sat there chewing on the end of his pencil as he stared down at the blank page before him, willing the words to come but finding no inspiration. Groaning in frustration he tossed his notebook across the bunker disturbing Poppy who was happily scrapbooking at the kitchen table humming softly to herself. "Branch what's wrong?" Poppy asked getting up from her seat and picking up the discarded book. "My brothers asked me to write the next BroZone album, you would think I could figure out one simple lyric or note to start. I have zero idea of what to write about, and no real inspiration at the moment, and it's frustrating because it used to come so easily to me! I used to have books upon books of music that I wrote over the years. THATS IT! I will just use some of those I have tons to choose from and maybe I can write a few more once I go through them. Somethings bound to pop out to me, thanks Poppy!" Branch smiled and ran out of the room into his bedroom to retrieve the books in question.

Poppy smiled softly and shook her head at his antics, hair she loved that troll so much and she couldn't wait to tell him her bit of good news. Once the scrapbook she was working on was finished that is. Gently rubbing her stomach for a few seconds She waited for Branch to come back. Two minutes later Branch burst through the doorway sat on the couch and began flipping through the well-worn books, humming softly as he flipped through matching the notes he had jotted down. Some of these could work Branch thought to himself before he looked up at Poppy. She was the muse behind most of his songs, the vast majority being written before they got together some were happy and hopeful others were sad and disheartening. A personal favorite of his was 'That Girl.' He remembered the day he wrote it like it was yesterday, It was just before the big Bergen attack when he had finally realized exactly what he felt for the perpetually peppy princess. Back then he felt like it was a hopeless endeavor, after all, he was the gray outcast while she was the literal princess of the pop trolls. Perhaps he could work the album as a way of telling their story, working each song as a chapter in their story. Maybe he would end it with a wedding proposal. Branch couldn't imagine spending the rest of his days with another troll. Poppy was his heart.

"Find anything you like so far Branch? It looks like you have a ton of songs to choose from." Poppy inquired as she sat next to him. "Yeah, I think I have a few Ideas Poppy. This is going to be a good album, I can feel it in my bones and, I think the guys will like them as well." Branch smiled softly as he set his book aside. "Floyd was talking about maybe doing a world tour after the album is released as BroZone's big comeback, things are looking up Popifer." Poppy stared at Branch as his words began to sink in. A world tour would mean that he would be gone for a long time, time that would be well spent having the brothers properly reconnecting and bonding for the first time in over twenty years since they split up. Yes, the whole Floyd was kidnapped debacle that one could argue made them closer but Poppy knew that it was forced. Branch didn't need anything or anyone to hold him back from that like a surprise pregnancy announcement from his girlfriend.

Poppy felt her heart break at that moment from her sudden epiphany. "Branch, we need to talk." Branch looked at Poppy and raised an eyebrow. "Alright Poppy, what's up?" She averted her gaze off to the side focusing on the wall and began rubbing her arm. "I think we need to take a break, things are so hectic right now with my duties, your brothers, Viva and just trying to figure everything out. Right now we should just take the time for ourselves. I don't want to hold anything back and I don't want to be the one to hold you back Branch, you mean too much to me." Poppy felt the tears start to well up as her voice cracked. Branch stared at her for a good moment before he shot up and backed away from Poppy and the sofa, disbelief painting his features. "Poppy that's not funny, quit playing with me. No one is holding anyone back from anything! I need you Poppy, you are everything to me, you are my heart, my reason to be happy, and the love of my life. Please Poppy I can't do this without you!" Branch ground out as it started to sink in that Poppy was serious about this, her tears now freely flowing down her cheeks as Branch felt the familiar sting behind his own.

"I'm so sorry." Poppy hiccupped and sobbed, her heart breaking further. "I'm so sorry." She repeated as she ran to the elevator and left the bunker. Branch looked down at his hand; gray slowly spreading from his fingertips.