Human Genderbend AU

Poppy is at DJ's place helping him to set up his profile for a dating app,The Dating Tree. They sit on DJ Suki's couch in his apartment while looking at DJ's smartphone. Then once he was set they look at different profiles of female trolls. Then DJ swiped left and the profile sent both trolls in shock,especially Poppy!

The profile was Branch's! The profile picture and the name shown are dead giveaways that it is her! And the date that marks the time she joined said that she joined a few years ago! Branch had never told Poppy or the pack about this!

Why didn't she tell anyone? Why didn't she tell Poppy?Why did Poppy feel so jealous that Branch is going out on dates with random guys?Why did it bother him so much? He knows that he should be happy that she is trying to find someone special but, he had difficulties adjusting to the  idea of Branch being with other guys and he didn't understand why he felt like this! It's not like he and Branch ever dated  or anything like that but, his heart feels like it just broke...Poppy didn't fully understand his feelings about Branch but, she always had a special place in his heart.

Poppy's mind started scheming about how to get Branch to be honest with him about this. The next night,Poppy walks through the streets as it rains to his car. It was parked close by in the street. He had went to visit a friend and couldn't park at the building. The man held with an open umbrella above his head in his left hand and his smartphone against his right ear.

Then Poppy stops in his tracks! He was shocked by what he sees! What did he saw? He sees a certain mixed race female sitting on the bench at the bus stop. It was Branch! She has no umbrella with her. She is sobbing in the rain. Her light green dress,black flats,hair and body are completely wet cause of the rain. Her black hangbag has the rain drops slide down as it sits next to her.

" I'm so stupid! No guy will ever like me! Why do I even try?", Branch says between her sobbing.

Poppy's heart breaks! His happiness and smile turns into sadness and concern and a fron. He had saw Branch cry before but,this is the first time he saw her sobbing!

" I'll call you back...bye.", Poppy tells the person on the other side.

Poppy ends the call and turns off his phone then puts it away in his pocket. He walks up to Branch but, she didn't notice him until he starts speaking.

"Hey...", Poppy greets softly.

Branch looks up to her left side to see Poppy.

" Hey...How much did you hear?", Branch says softly.

Branch wipes her tears away from her eyes. Poppy signs then sits right next to her so she can covered from the rain. Branch didn't make any eye contact with Poppy. It breaks his heart even more.

"Enough to know that something happened...Where's your car?", Poppy asks.

"At my Apartment building...", Branch answers.

Poppy frowns at her response.

" Let's get out of the rain. My car is close by...", Poppy says.

Branch just nods her head. Poppy and Branch go to Poppy's car under the umbrella. Soon they are both in the car and Poppy is drives Branch home. Poppy given her his jacket. Branch is quiet throughout the whole drive.

Soon they reach the apartment building. Poppy parks in the parking lot by the entrance. Poppy walks with Branch inside. It is still raining. Branch is still not talking and unhappy. In Branch's apartment, Poppy makes some Hot Chocolate while she freshens up.

He wonders what happened to Branch.  Did the dude not show up? Did he ditch her after meeting her? Did he want to use her? Did he treat her horridly? The questions burn in Poppy's mind. Poppy wants and needs to know what the jerk did to her!

Branch comes out of her bedroom. She is now wearing a brown shirt and a simple yellow T - shirt. She goes into the TV room then sits on the couch without saying a single word. Poppy sighs then brings her the Hot Chocolate. He hands one mug to her which she accepts.

"Thankyou...", Branch says softly and distant.

Poppy sits down next her while frowning. Branch takes a sip of her drink.

"No problem...", Poppy says.

Poppy just puts his Hot Chocolate down as looks at his best friend. It bothers him that she doesn't want to talk.

" Hey Branch? Are you okay?",Poppy asks concerned.

Branch sighs as she puts the mug on the coffee table.

"No...", Branch admits unhappily.

She leans against the couch while looking at Poppy unhappily.

"What happened?",Poppy asks.

" I met a guy on a dating app. His name was Mark. At first he seemed nice but, after he picked me up... ",Branch says feeling like she might start crying.

Poppy notices her state so he starts holding her hand while giving her comforting look. Branch clams down a little.

" At the date, He kept on comparing me to all of his many ex's and every time he did,he implied that his ex's were better in a very hurtful way. Then when I tried to leave he convinced me to stay at least until the check comes. He walked away for a while but,then he ditched me with our waitress by his side after saying that he could do better than me. I had to pay the whole bill and was stuck...", Branch explains trying hard not to cry.

A few tears escape her eyes. Poppy immediately feels his anger built up. How could that jerk do that to Branch? She is a great woman! The guy is lucky to go on date with Branch! Mark is a total idiot! He doesn't deserve to have a chance with Branch! Branch can do better than him! Poppy wanted to give the jerk a piece of his mind!

Then as Poppy notices Branch crying and her body curling up a little he becomes more worried and sad. He moves closer to her then pulls her into a hug. Branch's face is against his chest. She is too upset to focus on the fact that her face is in his warm and strong chest. He whispers comforting words to her. Soon Branch slowly stops crying and falling asleep. Poppy falls asleep as well. Both of them snuggle into each other on the couch peacefully.

The next morning, Poppy slowly wakes up. As he wakes up he looks down to see Branch sleeping peacefully and snuggling him while softly snoring. Poppy gives her a sleepy smile. She looks so beautiful and perfect to him. Her body feels so warm against his body. He didn't want to wake her up. Soon Branch starts waking up slowly. She let's out yawn as she sits up taking away her warmth from Poppy. He is a little disappointed that she took her warmth away from him but,Poppy does not focus on it too much.

" Good Morning.",Poppy greets softly as he sits up.

Branch turns to Poppy after rubbing her eyes. She is a little surprised that he is there at first but,then she remembers what happened last night. She blushes a little as she remembers that how she had fallen asleep on Poppy.

"Morning Poppy... ", Branch says a little sheepish and sleepy.

Poppy just smiles at her.

" Feeling better? ",he asks.

Branch just nods her head. Soon Branch makes them some breakfast. The two friends eat at the kitchen table. They are eating egg on toast and bacon strips. Branch is very a good cook. She had learnt to cook when she was very young. As they eat Poppy wonders why Branch didn't tell him before about the dating app.

" Hey Branch? How come you didn't tell me that you joined 'The Dating Tree'? I know that you joined a few years ago...",Poppy says honestly and softly.

Branch stops eating and puts her knife and folk down. How did he know that she joined that dating app and when she did? Branch did really anyone about the dating app thing until last night. Branch let's out a sigh.

"Poppy I -...it's not that I don't trust you. It's just that I didn't want anyone to make a big deal about the dates or tease me about how I have been going on many dates...I just didn't want anyone to know...", Branch says honestly.

Poppy just looks at Branch. She didn't want anyone to make a big deal about it or tease her? Why was she scared that they would do that? Sure sometimes they playfully tease each other and do make big deals about each other's romantic lives sometimes but, why did that bother her so much? Poppy has a feeling that there is more to the story. Little did Poppy know that his instinct is right...

" OK but,why did you join in the first place? Before I didn't think that you liked dating apps...",Poppy says honestly.

Branch sighs again. Apart of the reason why she didn't tell Poppy is part of the reason why she joined.

"Well...There is this guy who I have been in love with for a long time but, whenever I tried to tell him I either panicked or he friend zoned me or he had to leave...After a while I stopped trying because, I was scared of getting rejected and ruining our relationship... So I joined " The Dating Tree " in attempt of trying to move on but, it just made things harder...",Branch admits honestly and sad.

Poppy didn't know it but, she is referring to him. Poppy frowns and starts wondering why are these guys so blind when it comes to Branch? She deserves to be loved. He felt sorry for her that she has a tough love life. Poppy wished he could talk to these guys and tell them how great Branch is!

"Branch, you don't deserve to be hurt or be ignored like that! Your smart,talented,poetic,the most romantic person I know, caring, strong,honest,brave,loyal and beautiful! Any man will be lucky to go on a date with you and luckier to have you as their girlfriend! Your amazing just the way you are and if other men can't see that then their just a bunch of idiots who don't know what they have. You deserve to be loved...", Poppy says honestly with his heart.