The group continued forward on their adventure, Poppy was lingering in the back, trying to think positively, but for once, nothing could come to mind.

Branch and Guy were in the front of the group, both excitedly chattering on what they wanted to do with Biggie after they found him.

"We have to tell him what he missed! Crazy how we did so much in just over a month!" Branch squealed, bouncing more with each step he took. He couldn't wait to see Biggie again.

Guy laughed, "yeah! And he can meet Tiny!" He stopped for a second, "I just remembered I left my son without even telling him anything." He shrugged it off and continued laughing, "he's probably fine."

"Biggie will be so happy to see us!" Branch had the widest grin on his face, he hasn't been this happy in ages besides when Poppy confessed she liked him back.

"Have you ever though about y'er friend possibly being mad since you abandoned him in the woods for a month?" Delta raised her eyebrow at the duo.

"Well.. not until now." Branch's grin disappeared and he looked down at his feet and quickly started to spiral. "What if it ruins our friendship? What if he's extremely injured or dead and it's our fault because we didn't look for him immediately?" He flopped on to the crunchy leaves they were walking on and curled up on his side, then began to cover himself with the leaves.

"Uh.. I mean, your friend ain't as negative as I am." Delta kicked the leaves away from Branch and looked down at him.

"But what if he is being negative and does hate us?" Branch rolled on to his stomach and loudly groaned with his face in the dirt.

Poppy pulled him off the ground and gave him a big hug, "just stay positive like you've been. Delta is just being a poopy head, okay?"

"Yeah.. okay.." Branch sighed and hugged her back for a second, then rushed back over to Guy's side to resume the adventure.

"He's like some moody teenager." Hickory rolled his eyes jokingly the linked elbows with Delta. The two sauntered behind Branch, more focused on gazing in to each other's eyes than in front of them.

Poppy mumbled a boost of confidence to herself and caught up to the group. She was just gonna try to act normal, let Branch be happy for the three days, and do whatever she could to keep him happy afterwards. That's the only thing she really could do, right? Right. Not like anyone was going to get seriously hurt or die..

Her thoughts slowly trailed into the darker ones again.

Branch glanced back at Poppy and could see it on her face. He fell behind and walked besides her, Guy now leading the group, "you okay?"

Poppy looked him in the eyes and shook her head, "just continue enjoying yourself! I don't want anything to ruin your mood."

"Can we talk later at least? I want to help you stop thinking negatively about this situation."

"Yeah, that would be great, actually." Poppy smiled and hugged him from behind, "I love you so much."

"I love you too." Branch leaned his head against hers, "and I will love you forever."

Hickory, with sparkling eyes walked back towards them, "daw, ain't this the most disgusting thing?" He split the two apart and snapped his fingers, "faster we go, faster we'll find your friend."

Poppy and Branch both rolled their eyes and laughed, linked arms, and caught up to the front of the group again.

Maybe Poppy's ounce of hope is right, maybe everything will end happily? Or I'll crush you all with overwhelming angst that you won't expect at all, insert smiley face.