Branch is grey

Branch: What's the point of you even trying, Poppy?! I don't do happy!

Poppy: I know there's happiness deep down inside you! You just have a hard time showing it!

Branch: Forget it! I'd rather be alone than be around others! As if they would understand me! I like being alone!

For years, Poppy has tried so hard to get Branch happy. Everything she has done has always ended in failure. She can never let any of her people be sad and miserable. She can read Branch very well after knowing him since she was only five years old. The only thing she wants is for him to show his true colors to her, someday.

Poppy: I understand you.

Branch: Yeah, right. You're the most happy-go-lucky person I've ever met in my life. You can't say that you understand when you don't know what it feels like!

Branch starts to walk away thinking that he won this argument. Does this stop Poppy? Of course not. She ran up to him and hugs him from behind.

Branch: ?!?!

Poppy: Of course I understand. You're on my mind everyday.

Branch: What?

Poppy: I don't like seeing you all alone. I know you're doing this to protect us from the Bergens, but it's been 19 years since they last saw us.

Branch: What are you trying to say?

Poppy: I love having you around. I'm the happiest when you show up. But, you don't seem the same way. You always work hard on your own. At times, I never know what you're thinking. Branch, I don't want to pretend that everything's ok if you're not happy! I'm can't help but worry about you! I've decided that I'll do everything I can to help you. Because my main concern has always been on you. I want to fight with you. I also want to protect you.

Branch: !

Poppy: I can tell you're really suffering and it hurts seeing you like this for so many years. We're both worried about the village and our lives. We're basically one of the same. So protect us and I'm going to protect you, too!

A few tears fall out her eyes as she hugged him tighter.

Poppy: When we die, I'll be your partner in crime.

Branch's eyes widen as she said that sentence. He couldn't believe what she just said. Tears threaten to come out of his eyes. There was a warm feeling inside him that he hasn't felt in year. He knows Poppy cares about him, but he wasn't expecting this at all.

Branch: You're not gonna give up, are you?

Poppy: I can never give up on you. *thinks: It's because I love you.*

There was a few moments of silence until he got out of her grip and starts walking away. Poppy closed her eyes in sadness thinking she failed again.

Poppy: *Thinks: I failed again.....I really want him to be happy......But, I can't give up........I'm gonna keep trying* Mmph?!

Her eyes shot open when she felt his lips on hers & her back pressed against the tree. Her moans got louder as the kiss deepens. There's a lot of heat in that kiss. Their tongues touch, their fingers intertwined, their hearts pound. After 5 minutes of making out, Branch finally pulls away leaving Poppy breathless. Poppy stood there as he walked away with her heart pounding in her ears and cheeks as red as the rose.

Poppy: 0//////0 W-what just happened........?

*At Branch's Bunker*

As Branch got to his room, the tears that he tried so hard to keep in starts falling from her words from earlier.

Branch: And, I'll be your partner in crime.....I'll always love you even if you feel the same way or not......