It'd been a rough couple of days for them as they struggled to get to Mount Rageous.
Clay had spent most of the time going through a crisis on how they got Viva to join their journey.
Though he did mess around with Branch a bit, just wanting the youngest to relax and laugh.
And it worked each time he messed with him, so that was a win.
John Dory spent most of the time driving and trying to keep everyone calm.
Which didn't always work.
Bruce spent most of his time with Branch, keeping him calm and relaxed while Clay had a midlife crisis about how they got Viva to tag along.
Poppy and Tiny made sure to stay near Branch and keep a close eye on everyone else, siblings or not, no one would hurt Branch if they could help it.
And Viva spent most of her time trying to help Clay through his crisis.
So yeah, a couple rough days with a slightly tense atmosphere.
But they had finally made it!
Now they just had to, 'Hurry and get Floyd out and then run for our lives.' As Branch had so eloquently put it.
That statement alone made the three older brothers even more overprotective of Branch, who had no idea just how overprotective they truly are.
And completely unaware that he was about to find out.
They had just finished the family harmony, watching in horror as Floyd fell.
Branch ran over and caught him, gently setting him down as the others ran over and gathered around.
Viva hugged Clay from behind and he set one of his hands on hers, "Oh no..." he mumbled.
Bruce shook Floyd's foot and spoke with a strained voice, "No..come on Floyd, wake up!"
John Dory grabbed his hand, "We need you brother.." he whispered.
Branch teared up and Poppy rested her hand on his shoulder as Tiny sat on Poppy's head, watching Branch sadly.
"I-I built the hideout Flo Flo...except the ten story water slide..." he said softly.
Then Floyd opened his eyes and smiled, "But...how will we shower...?" He asked weakly.
Branch immediately cheered up, "Floyd!"
The other three began to cheer as well, "Floyd!"
They all hugged as Poppy and Viva stepped back to let them have their brotherly moment in peace.
But their moment was ended as Velvet marched towards them screaming, "YOU LITTLE FREAKS ARE DEAD!" She screamed.
Branch flinched much more harshly then his brothers as he clung to Floyd with a whimper.
Memories filled his head and he looked up at Floyd with teary eyes as he desperately shook his head, "Not a freak...I promise 'm not..." he whimpered.
Floyd's heart shattered as he cradled Branch and allowed him to cling onto him.
He ignored his other brothers for now as he held Branch close, "Little buddy...who called you a freak..."
Branch clung to him tighter, making Floyd wince, "The entire village.." he whimpered.
Floyd's wince quickly changed to an angry scowl.
Poppy silently sat next to them with Viva sitting next to her.
Poppy had expected to be questioned, but when she looked over she saw Floyd cooing at Branch and reassuring him.
She smiled as she watched.
"Don't cry, buddy...oh...please don't cry, it breaks my heart, you know?" Floyd mumbled as he gently bumped their foreheads together.
Branch hiccuped and nodded, "I remember..one time I cried because I-I fell and I was bleeding, you started to cry too and-and Clay did his silly dances for us while Johnny wiped our tears a-away and Bruce made us all some soup..."
Floyd giggled and gently tickled his side, "Yeah? You think this will be like that then? They kick ass and we go home? Johnny taking care of our tears, Clay doing his silly dances, and Bruce...? Making us all some soup?"
Branch giggled and squirmed to the side, still clinging to Floyd as he nodded, "Mhm! I hope so! I always loved that process!"
Floyd cuddled Branch and smiled warmly, "Yeah...me too, buddy...me too..."
