Branch stared at his reflection, his mind clouded by a swirl of emotions he couldn't quite name. For so long, he had felt too much-too big, too out of control. But now, standing before this thinner, fragile version of himself, it wasn't just the weight he had lost that gnawed at him. It was the distance between who he was and who he feared he might never be again.
His throat tightened as memories flashed in his mind-running, climbing, dancing, building. All the things he used to do with ease, the things that had made him him. Now, they felt distant, like they belonged to someone else.
Poppy approached quietly from behind, her heart sinking as she watched the tension coil through his frame. She placed her hands gently on his trembling shoulders, grounding him with her touch. "You look sad," she said softly, her voice brimming with concern but laced with tenderness.
Branch's eyes remained fixed on his reflection, his jaw clenched. "I... I don't know," he muttered, struggling to find the right words. "It's not just this." He gestured vaguely toward the mirror, his frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "It's everything I can't do anymore. I used to be able to run, to climb... to be strong."
The admission hung in the air, heavy with unspoken fears. He shook his head, feeling as though even talking about it was like reopening a wound. "I used to be... me," he said, his voice cracking with a sadness he hadn't wanted to confront. "And now... I don't even know if I'll ever be that again."
His eyes flickered away from the mirror, unable to face the frail reflection staring back. The silence that followed was thick, his chest tight with unspoken doubts.
Poppy moved closer, her presence warm and steady. She squeezed his shoulders, her gaze soft as she spoke. "It's okay," she whispered, her voice gentle but resolute. "You don't have to be strong right now. You've been through so much, and it's going to take time. But you're not doing this alone, Branch. You'll get there, and I'll be with you every step of the way."
Branch exhaled shakily, his grip on the sink loosening ever so slightly. "But it's not soon enough," he muttered under his breath, frustration still bubbling beneath the surface. He wanted to be better now, to feel like himself now.
Poppy rested her chin on his shoulder, her reflection meeting his in the mirror. "Healing isn't a race," she said softly. "And no one's keeping track but you. You're stronger than you think-you've already come so far. And one day, you'll be running and dancing again. With me."
Branch's eyes softened, the tension in his body slowly unwinding as her words sank in. It didn't erase the frustration he felt, but it made it easier to bear, knowing she believed in him when he couldn't quite believe in himself.
"Now, Branch," Poppy started, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she shifted the mood, "how about we focus on the next big challenge?"
Branch blinked, caught off guard by her sudden change in tone. "What challenge?" he asked warily.
Poppy gently twirled him out of the bathroom, a playful grin spreading across her face. "Getting some food in you! Are you hungry?"
Branch hesitated, the weight of his earlier thoughts still lingering. But then he smiled, appreciating her effort to lighten the mood. "Yeah, I'm hungry."
Poppy clapped her hands, her energy infectious. "Great! Let's start with something easy. How about a large fry? You can snack on it and take your time."
Branch chuckled softly, the simplicity of her suggestion somehow lifting his spirits. "I love fries."
Poppy's eyes sparkled as she gave him an approving nod. "Then it's settled! But here's the deal-I expect those fries to be completely gone by the end of the day."
