ᴛʜᴇ ᴀꜰᴛᴇʀᴍᴀᴛʜ. | ᴀ ᴛʀᴏʟʟꜱ ꜰᴀɴꜰɪᴄ.

𝐂𝐇𝐏𝐓 𝟐 - 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐲?

     Branch and Clay had made their way back to the living room. Branch a little thrown off by Clay's words. 'You're worth our time.' How honest was he being when he said that? Was Branch actually worth their time? If that was true would they have been gone for twenty years? Clearly Branch took up too much of their time if they left for so long.. not even caring to check on him. Hell, they checked on each other, but not him?

    John Dory literally had a post card from Bruce. Whatever. He shouldn't let these things get to him. He didn't need them growing up why the hell would he need them now right? Why would the things they said even matter now?

"Bitty B! We were jus' talking about ya!" John's ecstatic voice rang out.. louder than anything in the room. 

     Branch's head barely spared his eldest brother a glance, setting the blankets and pillows he had in his hands down. His mind was still set on Clay's words. On how he felt about them. Why did it leave this funny feeling in his chest?

    John rolled his eyes, reaching for one of the pillows he had just set down. Throwing it at his brother 

" Hey!"

"I was talking to you!" John spoke, dragging some of the vowels out. 

" What. John," Branch sighed

"Nothin'! Just old pics of all of us!" JD grinned his little grin, gaining an annoyed sound from his youngest brother.

     That smile faded just at the sound of it. John Dory waved his younger brother off, showing the pictures to Floyd and Bruce. Looking at the photos.. the two brother's were trying their best to keep their eldest brother happy. Flashing smiles when he'd turn to look at them.. but in reality.. these weren't good memories for them. The two made eye contact. They both knew this was upsetting them. They gave each other a sympathetic smile before JD turned to look at Floyd, gaining a more positive smile rather than one of sympathy.

     They only reminded them of the times JD would yell.. scream.. Hell, he'd even hit them sometimes. Mostly Bruce. Sometimes Clay. Hence why Clay kept a close distance to Branch. He helped him set the beds up on the floor.. giving him an excuse to avoid the 'reminiscing'.

     A little time later.. Clay and Branch had finished setting up the beds. Branch's living room consisted of two couches, a table in the middle that had been moved over towards the kitchen entrance, and a TV that sat on a TV stand. The TV had been flipped on at some point due to John Dory running out of pictures to show his brothers.

" Get comfortable. I'm not sleeping out here with you guys."

" Awh, Branch c'mon stay out here and watch the movie for a bit, please?" Floyd asked, giving his brother a gentle smile.

"Yeah! You can head to sleep once it's over."

"..."
" Fine."

    A cheer erupted from the second youngest, snuggling up next to his other brothers. Branch looked around the bundle of blankets.. Of course the only spot available was next to John Dory, and of course he noticed it. The eldest patted the empty space beside him. Branch waddled over, plopping down next to him.

     JD went to wrap an arm around his youngest brother.

" Touch me, and I promise you, you'll be out before tomorrow comes."

    John slowly retreated his arm back to his side.. his gaze moving back to the TV.

Tonight was going to be a loooong night.