ᴛʜᴇ ᴀꜰᴛᴇʀᴍᴀᴛʜ. | ᴀ ᴛʀᴏʟʟꜱ ꜰᴀɴꜰɪᴄ.

𝐂𝐇𝐏𝐓 𝟑 - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤.

     It was late. A lot of time had passed since the movie began.. the three brother's out like a light beside the two of them. It was nearly three AM. Branch was exhausted. He wasn't thinking straight as he leaned his head on his eldest brother. A sigh left his lips as he hugged the blanket over his shoulders.

     John was ecstatic to feel his brother's warmth. To feel him huddled up to his side. His arm hesitantly wrapped around Branch's shoulders. This time, Branch didn't pull away.

     Instead.. this pit settled in his stomach. He knew what it meant. Things were always going to be like this if one of them didn't initiate the talk. They needed to talk about things. About what happened. The abandonment. Branch being left on his own. The things he saw JD do to his older brothers.

"..."

" John..?"

"Yeah?"

" Did.. I do something wrong?"

The elder's face contorted into a look of confusion.

" No..? What's making you ask that?"

"..."

" I know I don't shut up about this.. but you guys left me. For twenty years of your lives. I understand you had your own things going on.. but none of you decided to even check on me? Write a note? A letter?"

     They sat in silence for a good minute. How was he supposed to respond to that? Tell his youngest brother he'd been hiking mountains, taking road trips, going anywhere but where he knew his brothers were?

"You didn't do anything. It was all us, Branch. You were just a kid. What could you have done?"

" Force you to stay."

"At the age of four? I don't think so."

" I could've done something."

"Like what? Huh?"

" Talk about the bunker? Help you guys open your eyes?"

"Branch. You forget you were four."

     Branch didn't say anything. He just looked down at his hands. John Dory sighed, taking one of them.

" Look, I know what it may seem like.. Like it was your fault because we weren't man enough to tell you we fucked up.. But.. the truth is? We're horrible brothers for walking out on you like that. For not giving you the explanation you deserved. Branch, you weren't even old enough to understand what abandonment was. We were careless, shitty. Assholes even and if it's anyone's fault it's mine."

"..."

" You're right.."

"Thank you."

     He looked up from his lap, pulling his hand away from John Dory before looking his way.

" It was your fault."

     John's head perked up at the sudden hostility in his tone.

"What-?"

" You're right! It is your fault. It's all your fault that I was left alone for twenty years. All because you wanted to hit some stupid harmony. Did that really matter more than your family!?"

" A-At the time-"

     Branch stood, his fists balling at his sides. Was this guy serious?

" 'At the 'time'!?"

"Branch- lower your voice-"

" Oh- 'lower my voice'? You never lowered yours when I was practically sobbing into one of our brother's chests as you barked orders- or told them how shitty they were on stage!"
     

     That? That one made JD go silent. He stayed sat, looking down at the cool ground of Branch's bunker. He could swear he felt his nose burning. Tears? Is this how they felt back then?

     Floyd stirred awake, looking over at the two. Were they seriously arguing right now?

" You want me to give you another chance- but do you even deserve it? Have you even changed!?"

"Branch. Of course I've changed. I-"

" If you changed? Would you have reacted the way you did on the way to Mount Rageous? Would you be hanging around me like nothing happened?"

"..."

" If any of you felt sorry.. You'd actually show it. I get you wan'a forgive and forget- well for me!? It's impossible to forget the loneliness I felt for eight-teen years! I was completely alone throughout over half of my life! None of you cared to even check on me!"

"We all had lives to get to.."

" Uh-huh. Like what? Floyd and you have no excuse for not checking on me. Clay and Bruce actually built up their own lives! Even then- I'm still upset at them! Bruce had a whole island and kids- and a wife! He didn't think once to reach out? Y'know- make sure I was okay? Had a place to live? Someone to take care of me? Clay was hiding away from bergens- didn't even care to see if I was alive- none of you did!"

     The younger troll stopped.. not even realizing tears had formed and slipped from his eyes. He always cried when he'd get angry like this. He couldn't help it. Usually, he'd wait until the person he was arguing with left the room. This was prolonged enough to make Branch start breaking down right there.

    Floyd sat up a bit.. wanting to comfort his brother.. but seeing how worked up he was? How frustrated he seemed? Who was to say he wouldn't snap at Floyd too. That wasn't normal for them.. considering the two always had a closer bond compared to the other brothers. So, he just watched.. helplessly.

     All four of his brother's had no excuse not to check on him. All. Four. Yet, there Branch was. Alone in his bunker for practically his entire life. He had four years with those trolls. Four years, and they made each of them shittier than the last. Branch just wanted his family back. Wanted to know what life was supposed to be like with his brothers.

     It was next to impossible to do that when they pretend nothing happened. Acted like things were just fine and that they didn't up and leave a baby without caring about who he lived with. If he was even living with someone. Only person who cared about that was Floyd and he didn't even check in like he promised.

"B-Branch.. I think you're just tired and it's time for bed."

" No. You don't get to do that now."

"Do- what?"

" Be that older brother for me."

"Branch-"

" I'll go to bed on my own. I don't want to see your face anymore anyways."

"Bitty-"

" Goodnight, John."

     John just sat there.. unsure on what to make of the situation. Things were just fine one minute and then switched up and went to shit the next? He was tempted to go after Branch.. but it seemed like if he did? He'd only make things worse. He always managed to make things worse. He made eye contact with Floyd, seeing the disappointment in the other's eyes. John swallowed.

      The older troll stood, moving to couch. He didn't feel comfortable sleeping next to his brothers. Especially after the argument that was just held. It's a miracle it didn't wake Bruce and Clay up too. He lied on the couch, facing the back of it. He didn't want any of the bros who were paying attention to him to see him cry.