Another big party was in full swing in Pop Village celebrating Valentine's Day and, as usual, Branch was on the sidelines enjoying alone time.
Poppy: Branch!
Branch jolted at the sound of his girlfriend's voice, her loud voice always made him jump whenever she snuck up behind him.
Branch: Poppy, warn me next time!
Poppy: Sorry...
Branch: What is it?
Poppy: The Valentine's Day party's off the hook, are you sure you don't wanna come?
Branch: Um...you know me, Poppy, I'm not someone who likes to go to big, loud parties...unless it's your birthday.
Poppy: But it's Valentine's Day, I thought you would want to spend it with yours truly...🥺
Branch groaned when he saw Poppy with her puppy dog eyes, that's how he got talked into a lot of things she did, she would guilt trip him like that.
Branch: Alright, fine, just...let me get ready and I'll catch up.
Poppy: Thanks, Branchie. 😊
Poppy gave Branch a kiss on his forehead and went back to the party. Branch rolled his eyes, but couldn't help but be enticed in Poppy's enthusiasm. While he was heading back to his bunker, he suddenly saw a strange glow coming from the forest.
Branch: What in the...
He followed the light and came across a cave...this was strange, was there a lit lantern in there? He went into the gave and his jaw dropped, there were gemstones as far as the eye could see. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.
Branch: What...is this place?
Now, Branch had been in many caves and mines, but not like this, he had never seen so many gems in one place. Diamonds, amethysts, opals, topazes, sapphires, crystals, you name it. Branch wandered the cave for some time taking in his new surroundings, but...among all this beauty, only one thing stood out to Branch. He picked up a ruby that was in the shape of a heart, it glistened brightly, its light bouncing off the walls in the cave.
Branch: This is...amazing. So...bright.
Suddenly, Branch got an idea, he put the gorgeous ruby in his vest pocket and hurried back to his bunker.
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Clay: BITTY B!!!!!
Branch yelped dropping his tools and falling off his chairs.
Branch: What?!
John Dory: Where've you been, little bro?! Your doll's been asking for you!
Branch: None of your beeswax! How long have you guys been in here for?!
Clay: Long enough.
Floyd noticed something on Branch's desk and helped him to his feet.
Floyd: What's that your making, Branch?
Branch: Uh...it's...something for Poppy.
John Dory and Spruce: Ooooooooooooh! 😏
Branch: Shut up. 😑
Branch reluctantly showed his brothers what he had so far.
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Floyd: That looks amazing...you made that?
Branch: Not necessarily.
Spruce: You borrowed it?
Branch: No...
Clay: YOU STOLE IT!!!!
Branch: What the-NO!!!! I found this in a cave...and this stood out to me, it made me think of Poppy, so...since it's Valentine's Day, I made it into a necklace.
John Dory and Spruce: Ooooooooooooooooooh! 😏
Branch rolled his eyes and face palmed.
Floyd: It looks great, Branch, I think she's going to love it.
Branch: Think so?
Floyd: Yeah, you did put a lot of effort into making this, she'll be so happy.
Clay: Did you by chance find an emerald or something? I forgot to get something for Viva.
Branch: Good luck with that.
Branch tucked the ruby necklace into his hair and left his bunker to find Poppy.
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Poppy set a tray of cupcakes down and looked around the party.
Poppy: Where is he...? Shouldn't take this long to get ready.
Branch adjusted his red vest and bow tie and went to the party to look for Poppy.
Poppy: There you are, Branchifer! No running away this time, you're staying and seeing this party to the end!
Branch rolled his eyes smiling at his girlfriend.
Branch: I figured you would say that.
Poppy: ...Branch, what took you so long? There's no way it took 2 hours to change your vest and put a tie on.
Branch: Well...that wasn't the only thing I was doing.
Poppy: Really...what were you doing then?
Branch took the ruby necklace out of his hair showing it to Poppy.
Branch: Here...this made me think of you, Poppy. Happy Valentine's Day.
Poppy gasped and put a hand over her mouth when she saw the necklace. She lightly touched the heart shaped ruby with her free hand.
Poppy: B-Branch...you got this for me...?
Branch: Well, not necessarily...I saw this ruby in a cave and it immediately made me think of you. I just made it into something so I could give it to you as a gift.
Branch put the necklace around Poppy's neck and her eyes filled with tears as she looked down at it. She gave Branch a light kiss on the cheek.
Poppy: I love it...it's beautiful.
Branch: You think so, Poppy?
Poppy: You have a heart of gold, Branch, I'll cherish it forever.
Poppy hugged Branch tightly and he couldn't help but hug her back, placing a gently kiss on her forehead.
Branch: Well, y'know, I try.
Poppy: ...Oh, here. I got you something as well.
With that, Poppy reached into her hair taking out a card she scrapbooked earlier.
Poppy: I meant to give this to you before the party, but better late than never, right? Happy Valentine's Day, Branch.
Branch opened the card and saw little pictures he and Poppy took at some of their dates, the message in the card immediately melted his heart.
Happy Valentine's Day, Branch, I'll never forget everything you've done for me and all the sacrifices you make just for me. Your heart is bigger than a double rainbow, don't ever let it shrink. I love you.
