Branch was very pleased with the chicken noodle soup. Poppy had followed the instructions to a tee. She shivered with relief. She'd been dreadfully worried that she was cooking it properly. To see the look of pure bliss on Branch's face as he tasted it made her heart flutter. She'd have to remember this recipe for later on if she planned to make it for him again. "You did Grandma proud with this, Poppy." Branch smiled.
Tears began to form in Poppy's eyes. She knew how much Grandma Rosiepuff had meant to Branch, so for her to do something kind that even came close to the elderly, deceased troll made her spirits soar.
However, Branch looked far from happy. His face dropped in dismay when he saw her wiping at her eyes. "Poppy? I meant that as a compliment!" This is too much for her. It's stress. She needs to go home. I'll be fine! "Poppy, are you okay?"
"Yes, silly. I'm okay." Poppy looked up, smiling brightly but with glistening eyes.
"Good…" Branch said apprehensively.
"I was so worried the soup wouldn't be up to your standards. I really wanted it to be! I'm just so glad you liked it." She explained.
"I didn't like it, Poppy." Branch frowned. She gaped at him, petrified. "I loved it!" Branch smirked. Poppy narrowed her eyes, giggling.
"Want some more?" She asked.
"Ooo, yeah!" Branch purred.
After Branch had eaten his fill of the delicious soup, Poppy carried him back to his room. "Poppy, seriously, you don't have to keep carrying me! Why did I bother bringing the crutches home?" He complained as he placed him back on the bed.
"Oh, stop complaining, Branchifer." Poppy said cheekily. "I'll let you use those tomorrow-supervised of course-, but for your first day back, I'm going to make absolutely sure that you take it easy!"
"Whatever." Branch shook his head. "But, really. No offense, but I'm much more muscular than you are. The last thing we need is for you to pull a muscle or develop a herniated disk!"
"Relax, baby. That's not going to happen." Poppy chuckled.
"Poppy, I'm serious about this." Branch interjected, His full of tender concern. "I don't want you getting hurt."
Poppy sighed. "Well, like I said, after tonight, I won't be doing that."
"Good! Keep it that way."
"Ahem. So, moving on! Time for your medicine!"
"Yay." Branch muttered. This time, he took the pills and the disgusting goop without fighting his nurse on it. Poppy quickly brought him a steaming mug from the kitchen. "What's this?" He panted.
"Peppermint tea." Poppy said. "I figured you'd want something fresh to cleanse your mouth."
Branch quickly sipped it. He groaned gratefully. "You're a real angel." He murmured.
"Hey, anything for my handsome hunk!" Poppy giggled, giving him a noogie under his neck.
"Stop." He bit his lip so he wouldn't laugh.
"What? What'd you say? More?" Poppy teased.
"Noo!" Branch rolled his eyes, trying to keep his smile from blossoming.
"Laughter is the best medicine!"
"Stop! I'm trying to drink my tea."
"Okay, fine." Poppy huffed.
"That is so good."
"You need rest." Poppy patted his arm.
"I can't. I didn't get anything accomplished today."
"Branch! You're recovering! That's what you're supposed to be accomplishing!"
"I spent nearly all day in bed! What do you call that?"
"That's only the first step, my man."
"Ugh. Well, no offense, my queen, but I believe that I know my own body more than you and the doctor do. I think I'm more qualified to be the judge of that."
"Not this time. If it was left up to you, you'd be loading and unloading supplies up and down that elevator right now, ripping your stitches out, straining your noggin, and putting way too much weight on that leg of yours." Poppy crossed her arms in a huff.
"I could handle it." Branch argued.
"Okay. Bedtime." Poppy cut him off.
"I need to make...some notes…" Branch yawned.
"It can wait until tomorrow. Now, finish your tea so you can go to sleep."
"Poppy, really?"
"You don't want me to hurt myself carrying you everywhere. Well, I don't want you to overdo it and wear yourself down while trying to regain your strength. Look, Branch. I promise to not push myself too hard, if you promise to do the same."
"I don't have to-"
"Branch, please! Do it for me. Please?" Poppy cocked her head, using her puppy dog eyes.
"Okay. You got me." Branch shook his head. "I promise, I won't overdo it."
"So do I!"
"Deal." Branch yawned. He would never admit it, but he was exhausted. And, his head was slightly hurting, not to mention his leg.
"You looked tired, Sweetie." Poppy said sympathetically.
"How can I be tired from doing nothing?" Branch grumbled, trying to hide another yawn.
"Don't be like that." Poppy scolded. "You rest up for tonight, and we'll see what tomorrow brings!"
"Always a bright side, huh?" Branch grinned slightly.
"You know it!"
After Branch drank all of his tea, Poppy helped him try to get comfortable, elevating his leg, fluffing out his pillows until he found a position he liked, tucking him in, and bringing him a green sleep mask. "What's this?" Branch asked curiously.
"A sleep mask, silly! Satin and Chenille made it and gave it to me, but I thought it looked so drab so I decorated it!" Poppy explained. The green mask had little trolls on it, snoozing and dreamy sweet dreams, and glittery letters were emblazoned on it that read,
"Do NOT Disturb!"
"Thanks." Branch sighed. The pictures were a little silly, but nevertheless sweet, just like Poppy.
"Here." Poppy slipped it over his head, down his neck, then adjusted it to fit over his eyes. "There you go. You look adorable. As always!"
"Right." Branch said sarcastically.
Poppy hopped up onto the bed, sitting beside him and she gently caressed his forehead. She hummed quietly. "I'm...not…" Branch yawned one more time and then was instantly asleep.