A warm breath stirred the hair at the back of Poppy's neck as she slowly drifted into consciousness. It was new, the feeling of Branch's arms keeping her close through the night, but it was something she couldn't get enough of. Somehow, Branch always managed to curl his body as close to hers as possible - his legs tucked around hers, bare chest pressed flush to her back, one arm tucked under her head and the other wound around her chest just to cup his hand around her breast. It was a simple comfort, one that they both adored.
Poppy almost always woke first. Branch was a surprisingly deep sleeper, though he did grumble a bit and tighten his hold on her anytime she tried to get up while he was still sleeping. It was a quickly learned lesson that it was best for Poppy to wake him up before she went to start coffee or go to the bathroom or else she would have one grumpy boyfriend trailing after her moments later to get those cuddles he so rightly deserved.
A small ache began to form in the pink troll's shoulder, her muscles full of complaints over being stuck in the same position for hours, so she shifted onto her back, slowly as to not jostle Branch too much. The teal troll mumbled something unintelligible, eyebrows furrowing slightly as Poppy got settled in a more comfortable position. His face buried into her neck by habit and he almost immediately relaxed at the familiarity of her warmth.
Those moments were something Poppy cherished. The teal troll liked to pretend he was all bite and no bark, but he was too good at the softness he claimed he didn't have in him. Sure, he was sharp-tongued and witty, great with a traps and reliable in a fight, but he was also the type to bring her hot chocolate in bed on the rare mornings he woke before her. Branch greeted Poppy with soft kisses no matter if they had been apart for a few moments or days. Whispers of how much he missed her and the hushed 'I love you's met your ears every time she opened her door to welcome him in.
But mornings. Mornings were even softer. Branch was all sloppy, sleepy kisses and wandering hands, his sentences half-finished with drowsy affection. The teal troll couldn't get enough of her and Poppy couldn't get enough of him, either. The smell of him clung to her sheets, hints of his cologne and that natural scent that was so distinctly Branch, and it left her burying herself closer to him just for more. Plus, he either slept in just his briefs or entirely naked, which made him that much more tempting.
The Pop Queen's fingers found themselves a home in the curls at the base of his neck, twirling them between her fingertips and gently scratching his scalp, and Poppy smiled sleepily at the feeling of his arms tightening around her. The daze of those first waking moments left you both practically nuzzling each other, arching closer and humming with sluggish happiness. The roughness of his facial hair grazing along the sensitive skin of her neck made Poppy laugh quietly and push his face back with a hand against his forehead. The sleepy smirk on his face was gorgeous.
"Good morning, beautiful." Branch rumbled, his voice rough from sleep.
"Good morning." The Pop Queen gave him a quick peck on the lips, mindful of the morning breath they both certainly had. A sharp twinge low in her belly reminded Poppy of her bladder's current state, and she tried to wiggle her way out of the vice of his arms. "Branch, I have to pee."
The teal troll grumbled but let her go nonetheless, rolling over onto his belly to bury his face in the pillows. Poppy was quick to take care of business, pausing to brush herr teeth and tame her hair before slipping into the kitchen to start a pot of coffee. It didn't take long for Branch to find her, his eyes scrunched up against the lights as he ambled up behind the pink troll to hook his chin over her shoulder, his hands finding their way under her shirt to grasp at her waist.
"Took too long." Branch said, his tone missing any real annoyance.
"I'm making you coffee, Mr. Grumpy." Poppy teased as she slid his mug where he could reach before making her own.
" 'M not grumpy." Branch grumbled - quiet grumpily, she might add - and took a quick sip of his coffee before kissing her softly, his tongue sliding right into Poppy's mouth like he couldn't help himself.
It didn't take long for Branch to drag Poppy up onto the counter and smother her with kisses that tasted of his typical black coffee and a hint of his toothpaste. His hair was soft beneath her fingers as Poppy gave in to his little tryst, meeting his every kiss and touch with eager reciprocation. It was too easy to get lost in the way he kissed her, his hands wandering over Poppy's thighs and up her back as if he were exploring the contours of her body for the very first time. The Pop Queen hooked her ankles around his thighs, smirking when Branch hissed at the feeling of her cold toes against the heat of his skin.
"How are you so cold?" The teal troll rubbed her biceps gently. "C'mon, let's take our coffee to bed."
"Hmmm… I don't know," Poppy feigned, trailing her fingers down his neck and over his collarbone lightly. His pleased hum had the pink troll leaning in to kiss at his neck along the route her fingers had taken.
"What if I promise to fuck you in bed, too? I'll even make you breakfast after…and we can take a shower together." Branch offered and Poppy laughed against him, pressing her forehead to his shoulder as she did. "Mhm, you know you want to. Just let me love on you, baby."
It was too good an offer to pass up. Poppy hopped off the counter, mug in hand, and raced down the hallway towards the bedroom with Branch hot on her trail. The sharp smack he landed on her ass shouldn't have surprised her, but it tore a yelp from Poppy anyway, and she barely managed to safely set her own coffee on the nightstand before Branch was yanking Poppy into the sheets and climbing over her with that damned smirk on his face.