The motion is slow. Lazy. Warmth swirling in his chest as Branch stretches; his whole body, being peaceful, content. Drops his arms above his head with a sigh as he lays across Poppy's lap.

He almost feels like it's impermissible to be happy. A forbidden, sharp contradiction: one she smudges away with her fingertips, tracing along his temple and shapes, shivers and emotions bloom across his skin.

Poppy's never seen Branch more delighted than now, in this moment.

The teal troll wiggles around, half for comfort, half for show - as if to brag about him belonging here. With Poppy. Right in this space, even if it's a little cramped, his feet hanging off over the armrest and one arm sliding down, hand on the floor.

It's ridiculous , the pink girl think, watching his large form spread across her tiny couch, almost laughing when she hear the furniture creak in protest as Branch tries turning on his side. Finally he settles, his face against Poppy's stomach, mumbling some halfhearted warning when she jest about him having to cut back on the pancakes.

But Poppy feel his warmth pressed against her, and there's that familiar, low rumble in his chest when her fingers move to comb through his hair. Each motion is slow, sensual and deliberate. An act of affection, confirming that Branch was meant to be here: head on Poppy's lap, soul in her embrace.

It's not lost on Poppy that it's a rare thing for him to be so safe with her, - with anyone , really - and the realization stirs something deep within as she watched him relax and ease himself into vulnerability. Exposed like the skin at his hips now, shirt ridden up and sweatpants dangerously low from all his wriggling around.

Poppy bite her lip, free hand slipping to trace the muscles there, gentle and a little too soft, causing him to squirm and whine in protest.

God , Branch hates it when she's a tease.

Then loves it. Loves it when her fingers slide through his hair once again, brushing a few locks from his forehead. the way it feels against his skin.

Loves when Poppy doesn't 't stop until Branch falls asleep.