As soon as Branch finished his hot chocolate, he decided he couldn't stay inside the Bunker any longer. He was itching to do… something. Anything other than just sitting there, thinking, his anxiety making his skin crawl…

He made his way up to the surface, shivering slightly as he breathed in the cool morning air. However, he could already feel the sun begin warming his skin as he walked towards Pop Village. For a fleeting moment, he considered trying to find John Dory, but he quickly put the thought to rest. Spending time with his oldest brother probably wouldn't help to ease the growing apprehension in his chest. In fact, his brother's strange behavior was only serving to make his anxiety worse. Best not to read too much into it.

Branch strolled through Pop Village, trying to think of something he could do to keep his mind occupied. He hadn't really planned past the whole 'leaving the bunker' part. As he weaved his way through a large group of trolls, his mind shifted back to his dream from last night. Branch pursed his lips as he tried to push the thought from his mind… Maybe he could just scope out the edges of Pop Village, come up with defense ideas. Just in case.

Branch walked over to the edge of town, pulling a notebook and pen from his hair. He quickly found an old trail and began to follow it. Back before everything had happened with Poppy, he used to follow this trail regularly, setting traps, scouting for signs of Bergens. He tried not to think too much about how easily he fell back into step, the dirt below him molded perfectly by his own feet.

By the time he'd circled the village, he had a pretty good list of ways they could develop some strong defenses against attack. However, as he looked back over his writing, it became pretty clear that there was a big problem. Poppy.

Branch sighed, rolling his eyes. There was no way Poppy would approve any of this. She prided herself on keeping Pop Village open to anyone, to make everyone feel welcome. Branch loved that about her. But it also drove him crazy.

"Well that was a complete waste of my time," he grumbled aloud, an old habit that he still struggled to break. Just as he went to shove his notebook back into his hair and begin his defeated walk home, he noticed a familiar figure standing in a nearby clearing. Clay. His older brother looked a bit lost, glancing around the clearing with uncertainty. Branch tilted his head in confusion, sticking his notebook in his hair before slowly making his way over.

"Clay?" he called, causing the lime green-haired troll to turn towards him with a start. Clay's face shifted into a look of joy and relief as he recognized his brother.

"Bitty B! Oh thank goodness," Clay exclaimed, letting out a deep exhale. "I am so lost. Viva told me to meet her at Poppy's pod in the morning, and I already completely forgot where it was."

"It's just over this way," Branch said, gesturing for his brother to follow him. "C'mon, I'll show you." Branch was more than happy for the distraction, and he figured that going to see Poppy was a good idea anyways. She always had a way of easing his troubled mind, of putting things in perspective. And considering his dream from last night, it felt like he really needed it.

"So, what were you doing in the bushes?" Clay asked curiously, jogging to catch up and walk beside Branch.

"Oh, uh, I was just… planning," Branch replied, thrown off slightly by his brother's question. He hadn't really thought his brother would be interested in what he was doing.

"Planning?" Clay pressed. "Planning for what?"

Branch paused for a moment, considering whether or not to tell the truth, but ultimately decided that if anyone would understand, it would be Clay. "I was just coming up with some ideas for defenses around the village," he said finally, unable to look at his brother as they walked.

"Oh! That's cool," Clay replied, his voice lacking any hint of sarcasm. Branch finally flicked his gaze upwards to see Clay looking at him with intrigue. "Got any good ones?"

"Uh, yeah," Branch said slowly, pulling his notebook back out from his hair. Clay quickly grabbed it, reading through Branch's notes. "But it doesn't really matter; Poppy would never approve any of them. She wants the village to be open to everyone."

"Oh, I see," Clay said with a nod. "That makes sense. These ideas aren't bad though." Clay's face brightened suddenly as he turned back towards Branch, eyes glimmering with excitement. "Hey! Y'know what would be f–, uh, practical? We should just like, brainstorm some new ideas. Not that they'll ever get used, but it could be cool just to have them, right? Like, as hypotheticals."

Branch thought about it for a moment. It could be… practical. He liked thinking through these kinds of things, and it seemed like Clay did too. A small sliver of excitement began to grow in his chest. He never really got to talk about his ideas with anyone else. And it'd be a chance to spend some time with his brother before he–

"Clay!"

Branch was immediately pulled from his thoughts as Viva materialized in front of him, her eyes just about as wild as her hair. She grinned excitedly, grabbing his brother's hands and pulling them to her chest. "Poppy's going to teach me how to fly a critter! Isn't that fantastamazing?! You have to come see the critter thing; it's adorable!"

Branch took a step back, almost blindsided by Viva's enthusiasm. He'd thought Poppy was a whirlwind of energy, but compared to her sister, Poppy was a gentle breeze. Clay, however, just seemed to lean into it, a huge grin splitting his face.

"I'd love to!" he replied, before looking back over at Branch. "But I think B and I were going to hang out a bit…"

A jolt of fear shot through Branch. He quickly shook his head, holding up his hands. "No no, you should go with Viva. I have to go talk to Poppy anyways. I'll catch you later, Clay." Clay's face fell slightly, but Branch just gave him a gentle wave before whipping around and making his way up to Poppy's pod.

Gosh, what was I thinking? Branch thought as he climbed. Clay's going to leave too, you idiot. Branch scowled, pulling himself up onto the branch leading to Poppy's pod. Stop getting your hopes up. You're only going to make it hurt more.

Branch took a deep breath, trying to collect himself before knocking on Poppy's door. But before he could even lift his hand, the door swung open, and standing there was Poppy.

She already looked pretty excited, but her eyes brightened to an even higher degree as she looked at him. Branch couldn't help but smile.

"Branch!" Poppy exclaimed, leaping forward and wrapping him in a hug. Branch laughed as she almost knocked him over, hugging her back tightly. He felt a wave of relief wash over him. He'd needed this. By the time Poppy pulled away, she was practically bouncing up and down on her feet. "I was just about to give Viva her first critter flying lesson!" she said with a grin.

"I know, I just saw her," Branch explained. "You guys seem to be getting along pretty well."

"Oh Branch, it's amazing!" Poppy gushed, clasping her hands in front of her dramatically. "It's like I have a new best friend, but even better because she's my sister." She sighed, seeming to draw her energy back in. "It's everything I dreamed it would be," she said, a far off look in her eyes. Then she shook her head, turning to look back up at Branch. "And how about you? How's it going with your brothers?"

Branch's temporary relief seemed to tank, and he felt his anxiety from before come crawling back. "Oh, you know, it's… uh…" Branch struggled to find the words. What was he supposed to say? It's great, but I can't let myself get too close to them, or it'll destroy me when they're gone. And I can't let them get too close to me, or they'll know how messed up I was when Grandma died. Also, John Dory hates my bunker and is acting really suspicious, which is not at all driving me crazy. Oh, and by the way, I dreamed you all died last night. Weird, right?

"Branch?"

Poppy was giving him a worried look. That probably wasn't a good sign.

"It's… weird," he said finally. He rubbed his arms uncomfortably, looking down at the floor. Poppy grabbed his hands, leaning down so she could look him in the eyes.

"Have you told them yet?" she asked softly. "About… everything?"

"No," he replied, letting out an exasperated sigh. Poppy gave him a pointed look. "It's just, things are so good right now, and with Floyd recovering and everything that's happened, it just doesn't seem that important, you know?"

"Branch," Poppy said sternly, and he let out a groan.

"I know. I'll tell them," he grumbled. "I'm just waiting for the right time."

"Sure you are," Poppy replied, crossing her arms over her chest. "And when exactly will that time be, Branchifer?"

"Ugh," Branch groaned again, massaging his face. "Don't you have a flying lesson to get to?"

"Ooo, deflection. Clever," Poppy teased lightheartedly, but there was still concern on her face. "Look, Branch–"

"It'll be fine, Poppy," he said quickly, shooing her outside. "I'll figure it out. Now go on. I think your ride is here."

Right on cue, Viva swooped in clumsily, hovering on a winged critter. "This is amazing!" she cried, a huge smile on her face. "C'mon Poppy, I wanna know how to fly upside down!"

"We're not through talking about this, Branch," Poppy said sternly, but her gaze softened as she leaned in and pecked him on the cheek. "But try not to worry so much, ok? I love you."

"I love you too," Branch replied, forcing a smile to his face. "Be careful."

"Pft, Branch, please. Careful is my middle name," Poppy replied with a mischievous grin. Suddenly, her hair flew upwards, wrapping around the critters body before hoisting her into the air. She landed easily behind Viva, a crazed look in her eyes as she yelled "Floor it!" The critter shot forward with such speed that they were gone in an instant, only the sound of Poppy's and Viva's ecstatic screams echoing in the trees.

As Branch watched her go, his heart began to sink. Cold tendrils of dread began to crawl back into his chest as he slowly made his way back down to the ground.

Poppy was right; he had to tell his brothers. He knew that, but at the end of the day, deep down, some part of himself didn't want them to know. He was ashamed, embarrassed even, to let his brothers see who he really was, what he was like for the longest time. It scared the heck out of him. And an even deeper part of himself didn't think they deserved to know. They walked out on him, they left him alone when he needed them. What right did they have to know about the pain he went through?

Branch leapt down onto the ground with a huff. No, he would tell them. He would. He just needed more time.

Just a little more time.