THERE IS NO BRIGHT SIDE

Branch Grey || 31 || Sporting Goods Store Owner Part of Corona Island HQ

[notxmrbrightside]

{poppy}

sitting in the living room for the first time in weeks, poppy was all but shaking with nervous energy as she waited for branch to finally return home. lily rose was down for the night, which made at least one aspect of things easy enough - but in all honestly she probably would have rather been dealing with a screaming baby over the conversation she knew the two of them were likely about to have. it was long overdue and one they had both been trying desperately to avoid, but as nice as it was to just pretend nothing was wrong, poppy couldn’t do it anymore. she was too tired of everything to keep pushing the inevitable off. so instead of hiding away in her room like she had every night since their last fight, she stayed on the couch in plain sight for as soon as he got home. “hey,” she called out softly as he finally entered the front door. a part of her wanted to jump right into things, but at the same time she also wasn’t ready for that quite just yet. so she stands from her spot and makes her way over to the little hallway. “you hungry?” it was her go to when trying to stall a conversation, something branch was probably well aware of and saw right through. @notxmrbrightside​

Branch had never been good with emotions whether it be feeling them or expressing them. It often got him into a bind that ended up uncomfortable for all parties. He had been dividing his time between home, work, and his bunker. Often times he would work longer hours to have a valid excuse but he knew Poppy could see right through that. Avoiding things didn’t seem working. Maybe they needed a break from each other. Though by avoiding each other that sort of turned into a break. For weeks he was building up the courage to finally have that talk with her and he knew tonight would be that night. He picked up dinner from her favorite take out place, along with a Snickers and soda. When he walked in the house he was quiet, knowing the baby would be asleep by this time. “Yeah. I actually picked up dinner. I hope you’re okay with that,” he said, glancing at her.

[notxmrbrightside]

What is the worst thing to ever happen to you?

"My birth.”

[notxmrbrightside]

Are you sure poppy actually wants you? She had a kid for someone else.

“Poppy was pregnant with someone else’s kid before we got together. I know she loves me but I also know we need to work through some things. So, the short answer is I’m unsure.”

@artsandpoppy

[notxmrbrightside]

do you think you’ll ever give up your bunker?

“Fuck no. What am I supposed to do when zombies attack without it?”

[notxmrbrightside]

do you think you and poppy will actually be able to work things out?

“I really don’t know. I hope so. I just need to sort my shit out I guess and own up to my actions. I hope we can just talk and work things out.”

@artsandpoppy

[notxmrbrightside]

{poppy}

“Don’t be silly. You know I already have one set aside for you,” she answers with a bit of a chuckle. Twisting in her chair to reach back into the set of shirts she had set aside specifically for her friends, Poppy grabs the one marked with a piece of scotch tape that had Branch written across it. “A surprise for me?” Despite her question, she had been fairly certain it was indeed supposed to be some kind of gesture for her. What it was supposed to mean exactly - that’s where she was unclear. “Well, either way I’m excited to see it! But you really don’t have to go up there if you don’t want to. I know singing in front of people isn’t the easiest for you…”

“I should have known better. You’re always prepared for these kinds of things.” Usually Branch was the one over prepared for everything but he’d noticed since Poppy became a mom she too was oddly prepared for most situations. Not just ones like t-shirt selling. He pulls out his wallet and pulls out a few twenties and hands them to her. “Well, yeah. I’m no good at romance or anything but I thought it would be...sweet? I don’t really know. I’m going to have to think of something better next time. Something that’s actually a surprise.” He smiled a little bit. “I know but now I’m actually a little excited. Nervous but excited.”

[notxmrbrightside]

{poppy}

As soon as the show was over and the girls had celebrated a performance well done, Poppy had rushed to pick up Lily Rose from Rosie and head back tot he merch table. Right now, fresh off the stage, was the best time to push the t-shirts and get people familiar with the band’s name. There weren’t many shirts left, but she was determined to have them all gone by the end of the day. Just finishing up a transaction with another person, the brunette looked over to see who was next and froze for a moment when she saw Branch standing there. “Hi,” she echoes, staring at him before a small smile breaks out on her lips. It was strange - the mixture of emotions she’d been feeling every time she saw him lately wasn’t there for once. Instead, she felt oddly at peace. No spike of happiness, but also no rush of self-doubt either. “Thanks. I, uhh, I saw you’re going to be performing later too?”

“Do you have any shirts left in my size?” he asked her. He had intended on buying one from the start even if band-tees weren’t really his style. He still wanted to support his girlfriend. “Oh, well, uh...I didn’t realize they released a set list and it was supposed to be a surprise for you so it didn’t really work the way I planned.” He shrugged. He felt more nervous now that she knew he was preforming.

[notxmrbrightside]

@artsandpoppy​

Branch had a lot of nerves about preforming at the festival. He knew it was too late to back out and he thought, well hoped, it would maybe make Poppy smile to hear him sing. After he saw her and her friends preformed he sought her out. When he finally found her at the merch table he smiled and approached her. “Hi,” he greeted her. “You guys did really good. That’s expected though.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. He knew things were a little rocky with them right now so he was trying his hardest to not make things awkward.

[notxmrbrightside]

{poppy}

There’s a big part of Poppy that wants to forgive him right away, to say that things are all fine and it’s no big deal. But that’s not true. It’s not true at all. Because Branch was there for all of the shit that went down with Creek - he knew that every relationship she’d had since then had ended because of the insecurities and emotional baggage she’d been left with afterward her engagement crumbled. And despite the fact that Poppy was aware that Branch didn’t deal with emotions well and he’s avoided her in the past instead of facing difficult conversations, she had really hoped now that they were together things would be different. That he would try harder. That he would be aware of the things he knew she struggled with and not turn around and throw them in her face like this. The more she thought about it all the more upset she became and the further in her head she started to retreat. What if this was another Creek situation all over again? The color began to drain from her skin, a grayish tint taking its place. She remains silent through everything he has to say and once he claims to love her the small voice in the back of her head whispers Creek used to say that too. It’s not fair to compare the two, but when has that ever stopped her before? It certainly didn’t with Angelo or any of the relationships she’d had before him back home. Standing up from the table, she shakes her head a little bit and suddenly just needs to be out of here. She can’t take this right now. All the anger and annoyance that she’d had just minutes before had been completely replaced with doubt, fear, and stress. “I need to go,” she says, not even bothering to further explain as she begins to head over to the ladder leading out of the bunker, dinner and everything forgotten.

Branch was quick to stand up. “Poppy, wait!” he says. His concern only grows for her as he sees the color drain from her skin. “Poppy?” He grabs her wrist but is gentle, not wanting to hurt her. It was so rare to see her color fade like that so he knew something was wrong. Something was already wrong but now it was worse and he knew it was his fault. “Hey, listen to me. I don’t know what’s going through your head right now exactly but I have a feeling I might know a little.” His lips curved into a frown. “I could go on and on about how things can be different with me but the last few days I haven’t really proved that. If you need space I’ll give it to you. I know whatever I say right now isn’t going to change anything. I just..I love you a lot, Poppy. You’re my best friend and I don’t want to lose you.”

[notxmrbrightside]

{poppy}

“I know, I know.” Looking down at her lap as she rung her hands together under the table, Poppy nodded her head. It had been hard, admitting all of that, and having to watch Branch react to it was even worse. But she knew that it would be good to get it all out. That maybe that had been a part of the issue she’d had with all of her past relationships after Creek, bottling things up for months until she exploded or it all became too much to handle and she broke things off. And she didn’t want that to happen again. Not this time around. Not with Branch. This time she’s determined to make things work, no matter how hard it is. “I know you weren’t. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have thought that… I knew you were down here. And I know you didn’t mean to do it, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t still hurt.” Finally looking back up at him, she gives him a weak and forced smile. “It’s okay. I’m not mad.” She was upset and hurt, certainly, but not really mad. 

Branch had a lot of emotions going through him right now. Mainly he felt guilty. Guilty that he had hurt her or upset her in any way. He deserved to feel shitty, he told himself. He wasn’t being a great boyfriend or best friend and he was both of those things to her. Branch knew she didn’t have the best history in past relationships and he had always promised himself that he would do better than him. Right now though he knew he wasn’t. “You don’t need to be sorry. I’m not mad at you for thinking that. Maybe a little hurt but...I don’t know.” Talking about feelings, even with Poppy, was difficult for him. “I don’t ever want to make you think that ever again and I feel like shit that I did.” He wasn’t trying to make her feel bad about it but he was afraid that’s how he was coming off. “I’m sorry, Poppy. I shouldn’t have avoided you and stuff. I promise I’ll do better.” It was hard for him to say it but he managed. “You’re not? I would be but you have a better heart than I do.” He cracked half a smile at her. “I love you a lot. I hope you know that.”

[notxmrbrightside]

{riley}

When Riley had tweeted about wanting to get a worlds grumpiest boss mug for Branch, they had fully intended it to be a joke - but when someone actually sent a link to a site for customizable coffee cups, there was no way they could just ignore it. With the gift tucked inside a festive Christmas gift bag under bright pink tissue paper, they headed into work. “Hey, Mr. Bossman,” they called out as they entered the store, heading straight towards the back where they knew the older boy would be. “I got something for you!” @notxmrbrightside​

Branch had been enjoying a fairly mellow day at work. It wasn’t ridiculously busy but sales were up, so that was good. Normally he found something wrong every day. Whether it be his coffee wasn’t hot enough or a merchandise display looked off so he would make an employee redo it until it was up to his standards. He liked to think he wasn’t the worst boss in the world. He knew he wasn’t the nicest and most approachable but he tried to at least give them days off they wanted and things like that. He had the mentality that people came to work to make money not friends so why should he try? He knew Poppy would tell him different though. When Riley came into the back room and he heard their voice he sighed deeply before turning around in his chair. “Don’t call me that,” he said with furrowed brows. His eyes glanced to the very interestingly wrapped gift. “And what would that be?”

[notxmrbrightside]

“ you can live in the cave ” from poppy

“Okay, first of all it’s a bunker. Not a cave. Big difference. A cave is-- Never mind.” He wasn’t about to mansplain her and piss her off even more. “Why would I live there? So, I’ve spent a lot of time down there lately that does not mean I want to live there. I like living above ground. With you.” A few years ago he would have begged to live down there but his paranoia and anxiety about the world had gotten a lot better. “You’re not really going to go make me live there, are you?”

@artsandpoppy

[notxmrbrightside]

tarzan / sleeping beauty

Tarzan - How did the place your muse grew up in affect them?

Branch was surrounded by people that could not care less about what happened in the world around him and that infuriated him. He lost his parents at a young age and was raised by his grandmother so he knew from the beginning the world was cold and cruel and bad things were bound to happen. He didn’t like Poppy at first but her bubbly attitude was bound to grow on anyone. Florida was also hot and stormy so Branch was always prepared for the worst of weather.

Sleeping Beauty - What is the worst possible curse your muse could face?

Any type of curse in where he would lose Poppy and Lily Rose would absolutely destroy him. For a while his paranoia had calmed down but with them it flares up a bit more. He’s terrified of losing them.

[notxmrbrightside]

Continued from here. // @chaoticxcipher​

Branch’s brow furrowed and his face contorted into an expression of annoyance. He really could not stand the guy. He’d only ever met him when he came to pick up Lily Rose. Branch didn’t understand how someone like Bill could love something so pure and wholesome like Lily Rose. Branch loved her as if she were his own but in the end she was Bill’s daughter like he’d said. “First of all, It’s Branch. Not Twig. Second, I don’t have to like you. Just tolerate you and ignore the very strong urge to punch your stupid face.” He would really have to be heated to throw a punch because he knew Poppy might literally kill him. “I don’t understand what Poppy ever saw in you. You’re a creep and I’m going to find out what the hell your deal is because...I don’t trust you. Not even around your own daughter. Run and tell Poppy what I said I don’t give a fuck. You’re a fucking creep and I don’t like you. I don’t care what you think of me and I know you don’t care what I think of you. I’m just warning you. If something ever happens to Poppy or the baby and I find out you were involved...it won’t be pretty for you.”

[notxmrbrightside]

{poppy}

Keeping her eyes on Branch, Poppy watched him look away and knew that she had been right. He’d been avoiding her. Or, as he explained it, the conversation. Which didn’t make things feel any better. “That’s not how this works, Branch,” she says with a small sigh. She didn’t want to be too upset with him, knowing that he had only had a few past experiences being in a serious relationship and none of them had compared to this - living together right off the bat, raising a baby, and just being more committed already than they normally would be in this stage. But just because she was aware that he struggled with these things didn’t mean she was just going to allow him to treat her however he wanted. “Even if you don’t want to talk about it, we have to. You can’t just ignore me for days and hope that it’ll go away. That only makes it worse.” Glancing down at her plate, she debates saying what was really going through her head when he had practically disappeared for the past few days. It would hurt him to hear it and she knows that, but it also would probably be good for their relationship in the long haul. “I thought maybe you were having doubts. Or backing away. Or…. Or you were off with someone else…” Shaking her head quickly, she snaps her eyes back up to look over to him, realizing what she just admitted. “No. I didn’t actually think that. I know you weren’t. I knew you were just down here. But it….” Another pause. Does she drop the final blow? Does she admit what was truly bothering her? Even though it would most certainly upset him to be compared to? With a sigh she looks back down at her plate as she almost mumbles out the next few words. “These past few days have just reminded me a lot of things Creek used to do…..”

Branch listened to her talk. There were times he wanted to interrupt her, but he didn’t. He knew this was not the time and no matter how angry or confused he was feeling an outburst wasn’t going to help matters. She was right though. He’d only made things worse by avoiding her. “I know,” he said. “I said I’m sorry. We can talk about it right now if you want. What more do you want from me? I won’t avoid you next time something like this comes up.” Her next words hurt deep. He was both hurt and offended that she could even consider him to do such a thing. “You thought what?!” he blurted out. He had been trying to stay calm but he wasn’t the best at that. “I would never do that to you. You and I both know that. Why would I risk everything we have over someone I don’t care about? I don’t even talk to other women because I don’t like people.” He hadn’t realized his fists were clenched and he relaxed his hands and then his posture. “I’m sorry.” His brow furrowed. “Th-they have? I never intended for that. I don’t want to put you through anything he ever put you through.”

[notxmrbrightside]

{poppy}

Poppy shrugs as a response to his question, continuing to eat as she nods along as he describes his own days. Lonely. Oh how she can’t help but internally laugh at that. She almost snaps that she wonders why that is or informs him that yeah, she sure has been lonely too - but she doesn’t want a fight. Not tonight. Not when he’s already starting to pull away. As he sets down his silverware, her eyebrows raise and she takes in his question. There’s a moment of silence as she once again thinks about how to go about this before she finally answers. “Why have you been avoiding me?” Not a question of have you - but why. Because for all she has her faults, Poppy isn’t an idiot. She knows when someone’s avoiding her - especially someone she’s in a relationship with - and unlike her previous times of being ignored, for once she’s going to put up a fight about it. Gone was the old Poppy who would let the person she loves walk all over her.

Branch awkwardly glances away for a moment, trying to find something to focus on. He couldn’t find anything since his mind was racing and looked back at the food he was eating for a moment before looking up at Poppy. “I wasn’t avoiding, you,” he said. “Not like, as a person. You didn’t do anything, but you know that. I just..am avoiding a conversation I know we have to have and I really don’t like to talk about feelings and shit. I’m not good at it. I don’t know how to express what I want, especially out of a relationship and I know that’s not a very good excuse for my behavior and I’m sorry.” He let out a deep sigh and took a sip of the wine. “I’m sorry, okay?”

[notxmrbrightside]

{poppy}

“It was fine. Nothing too eventful,” she answers - a shorter reply than she would usually give to that question. Cutting at the chicken on her plate, Poppy takes a bite and chews for a moment as she mentally debates how to best handle going about starting the discussion she so desperately wants to have with him. The angry and hurt side of her wants to be petty and say something that she knows will cut him as well, but the more logical side of her knows she should just ask him outright. So Poppy decides to go for something in the middle. “How about yours? And your yesterday, and the day before? Since I haven’t really seen you for either of them.” The words come out with a bit of an attitude, an edge in her tone that she rarely ever has unless she’s truly upset.

“Oh, well, that’s good right?” He glances up at her before he started cutting his own chicken. He took a bite and when he was finished chewing said, “chicken’s good.” He knew the reckoning was coming though. “Um, they were fine. Lonely, I guess. I’ve just been at work and then working on stuff down here. Mostly tinkering with things and setting up that stupid security system.” He set his fork down. “You seem...tense. Is there something you need to say?”