Complicated Love

Chapter 24

Poppy is humming a song, Shivers, happily as she walks into the kitchen completely naked. It was just her and Branch here so she didn't worry about someone seeing her like this. Last night was the best first date Poppy ever went on! She never had so fun and felt so happy any date with anyone until last night with Branch! She even added Shivers to her playlist like she did with Señorita last year. Now that song is even more special.

Branch walks out the short hall leading to their bedrooms naked as well. He smiles simply as he sees his girlfriend. It was still a bit dark in their apartment since the Windows are covered by the curtains. The sun was still shining through between some of the curtains giving the apartment some sunlight but, it still wasn't a lot.

" Your up little early for a day off... ", Branch comments.

Poppy turns her head to him with a smile. She actually wanted to surprise him with something but, she had forgetten that he usually wakes up this early. It was due to his job but, he didn't have to work today either.  Looks like she won't be able to wake him up with her attempt of breakfast.

" And you should had stayed asleep. You kind of ruined my chance to surprise you with breakfast. ", Poppy replies calmly and little jokingly.

" Old habits die hard. ", Branch says simply with amused tone.

Then he walks over to her and wraps his arms around her soft waist and pulls her close. Poppy giggles softly at him and his actions. Branch gently puts his lips against hers and she kisses back. Poppy's hands rest on his shoulders then go down onto his chest as they share their current kiss. In a minute their lips parted shortly.

" Your a really good kisser.", Branch says softly and happily.

" So are you. ", Poppy adds happily and softly.

Branch moves a strand of her messy bangs out of her face so he could see her beautiful eyes better. They sparkles as some sunlight lands on them. Then Poppy turns around and walks away to the cupboard with the pan. Branch folds his arms since he knew what she was going to do.

" So your gonna burn the kitchen again? ", Branch smirks messing with her.

" I'm not that bad... ", Poppy complains.

She takes out the pan then puts it on the stove. Branch simply sits down at island like counter watching her. Poppy tries to make them breakfast as they continue with their banter.

" I know but you can easily forget how powerful the stove flames can be. Plus last week's burn mark is still there. ", Branch points out jokingly.

" Oh hush! ", Poppy replies playfully.

Out of the two of them Branch is the better cook while Poppy is better at baking. Branch can't even bake a good pie without a hundred trail attempts. Poppy can cause some accidents with oil or makes other cooking mistakes repeatly sometimes. Accidently burning the pan or the wall somehow is one of them but, she doesn't burn stuff a lot. They balance each other out in the terms of the suffering kitchen.

Soon it was the afternoon. Branch and Poppy are both fully dressed again. Branch is just lounging on the couch sitting all by himself. He is tuning his guitar again when his girlfriend decides to join him. She flops onto the couch onto her back.When Branch heard her start to talk he slowly puts his guitar down then looks down at her face.

" Does Mick do custom tattoos? I just figured since their available ones don't have anything I want I could get one nobody has... ", Poppy says honestly and curiously.

" He does and can design it for you. You aren't thinking about those cheesy lovey tattoos which are the worse ones to have still on your body after a breakup. Are you?",

Branch always hated those tattoos. Not for the reasoning behind them but, he hates what mostly happens afterwards. He had seen couples breakup soon or eventually after one of them gets one of those stupid tattoos. Those trolls told him how they hated their tattoo and how it was a mistake since they have their ex's name or image or anything like that. To Branch he saw them as bad luck tattoos to have when dating someone. He loves Poppy but, doesn't want her to have a sour reminder if things don't go the way they want with their relationship and plus he didn't want to lose her to the tattoo cursed bad luck.

" Of course not. Plus their relationship risky tattoos that nobody should pick. Unless their married I guess but, anyway I actually just want something small and maybe even a little cute? What do you think?", Poppy says honestly.

Then Poppy brought herself into a comfortable position. She sits up while putting her legs on Branch's lap and leans back. She rests her head on the arm rest while Branch continues to watch her. He now had a better view of her as she stares up at the ceiling. He was checking out her out a little but, there was nothing new. That didn't bother him at all though.

" Well. It sounds like a good idea. Is it gonna be really personal or just what you want in a tattoo? ", Branch admits kindly and honestly.

" A mix of both. ", Poppy confirms.

After the couple was done with their conversation about getting a custom tattoo... Branch took Poppy to Mick so she could her tattoo. Since it was a small and simple one Mick came up with a few good designs for her easily. It didn't take long for her to decide which tattoo she wanted for once.

Now the pink troll is laying down on her stomach in one of the booths. The back of her shirt is pulled up a bit so Mick could draw the tattoo on her lower back. The alcohol felt cold against her skin but, she knew that it wasn't going to be the worse feeling. The needle Mick is using begins to hurt as it drew into her skin. It was really sore but, Mick tried to draw her attention away from the pain by talking. It didn't help as much as Mick was hoping.

Then Poppy looks her boyfriend directly into his blue eyes. Branch could see it in her eyes that it hurt more than she expected it to. She brings out her hand to him and he just knew what she wanted and was implying. She wanted to hold his hand. It wouldn't make getting her tattoo any less painful but, it will give her some comfort at least. Branch smiles simply at her encouragingly saying nothing as he takes hold of her hand. Poppy smiles simply back at him feeling more at ease.

Meanwhile back at the apartment. The dragonfly that usually delievers letters for Branch's parents flies into their locked apartment. It had a letter with it as it flies through the open the window. That one letter was different from all of the prevous letters Branch had received over the years...