ᴛʜᴇ ᴀꜰᴛᴇʀᴍᴀᴛʜ. | ᴀ ᴛʀᴏʟʟꜱ ꜰᴀɴꜰɪᴄ.

𝐂𝐇𝐏𝐓 𝟒 - 𝐆𝐨𝐧𝐞? 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐆𝐨𝐧𝐞?

     The next morning, once the bros were awake.. Branch had already been making breakfast. He turned to face the living room, sighing. He was enjoying the silence. He wasn't sure he could even handle his brother's chaotic energy right now.

"G'morning, Branch!" Clay's voice called from the living room. Branch just raised his spatula in response.. not feeling up to talking just yet. Far too early for that.

" Hey, where's John Dory?" Bruce questioned, gaining a shrug from Clay. Floyd looked over at Branch. After what he heard last night? He had an idea of why John Dory wasn't here.

" He's gone,"  Branch said flatly. His back stayed facing his brother's. " Watched him pack up and leave once I woke up."

     Clay and Bruce shared a glance. Did they miss something? Clay turned to face his brother's, his back now facing Branch.

"Okay, did I miss something last night? I know I was probably the first one out," he questioned quietly, moving his hands to hover over his lap. Bruce just shrugged. Floyd glanced over at Branch before back to his lime haired brother. "Because what did he mean gone?"

" John Dory and him had a pretty heated argument while we were sleeping last night. It woke me up," Floyd whispered, gaining a brow furrow from his other two brothers.

"An argument?" 

     Floyd nodded, looking down at his hands before up at Branch. Even after all they did to him, he was still in that kitchen making them breakfast. It should be them taking care of him. They didn't deserve this treatment from Branch and they knew it. 

" What caused them to argue?"

" They were on talking about how Branch's abandonment was his fault. Like we didn't partake in it either. I was gone doing nothing for twenty years. I could've easily came back like I promised, but no. I was too damn scared to. Branch was completely blaming John Dory too."

     Clay rested a hand on his youngest brother's shoulder.

"I know this doesn't make it any better, but we all owe Branch an apology. We all screwed up with him. I should've left to make sure he was okay sooner."

" And I had a whole island I could've invited him to stay to. I had those kids to make up for what I did to you guys- when in reality? I should've actually been here for you guys rather than giving my kids what you three deserved."

     Another nod from the second youngest. He gave his brothers a small smile, mumbling a small 'thanks'.

     Branch on the other hand? He'd heard all of this while he was cooking. His brows knitted together as he swallowed harshly. He was trying so hard not to cry. They knew they were wrong. They heard him. They heard him on how lonely he was. They hadn't even heard the half of what he went through while they were gone and they already felt the need to apologize. He honestly assumed they had just forgotten him and gave up on trying to make.. things better.

     Sure, there was no making things completely okay.. but them apologizing? Sticking around? Meant his brothers changed. meant he'd have the chance to have a family again.

" Breakfasts ready," Branch said, moving their food onto plates. As he turned around, his brothers had already moved the coffee table back to its original spot and were ready for their meals. It took everything in him not to smile.

     Setting the plates in front of his brothers, Clay gently took hold of the bottom of Branch's vest, gaining a confused look from the younger.

"Thanks for taking care of us," he said, letting go of his brother's vest.

" Yeah, don't mention it. Just hurry up and eat so you guys can get home."

" Get home? Why don't we stay for a little longer?"

" No-"

" Yeah! Hanging out for a little longer doesn't seem so bad! Considering the last few times we've seen each other haven't been on the best of terms.."

"Yeah.."

" No!"


     Silence fell over the four. All eyes on the now very tense Branch. He wasn't looking for another argument. He knew keeping his brothers here though? An argument was bound to break out. Even without John Dory here. He was usually the spark of the arguments.. but now that Branch was older? Actually capable of understanding these kinds of things? The tension that still lingered in the air around them?

     He knew he was going to be the one who caused a fight. As much as he hated to admit that.

" Just- no. You guys need to go back home."

"Jesus- Branch, we just want to hang out again! Catch up! It's been so long!"

     Clay's words got a few approving nods from the other two, Floyd even mumbling a small 'yeah'.

" You three can do that. Outside of my bunker. Unlike you guys, my life doesn't just stop because you all are here. I actually have things to do."

" Branch-."

" Ohhh Branchifer!"


     Branch squeezed his eyes shut, hearing the trapdoor open and fall close. Damn it, he was trying to get them out of here before Poppy came by. Why? Because he just wanted to spend the day with her. Get a break from the family stuff for a bit. He knew, with her being here.. she wasn't going to let Branch just kick them out after breakfast. Especially with Clay being in close relations to Viva? She'd probably ask him to invite her over. 

     Sigh.

" Hey, Poppifer," he said, giving the troll a smile as she moved up next to him.

" I missed you! Oh- wow we got a full house, huh!"

     Poppy's words gained her a wave from the three.. them now awkwardly eating their breakfast. Clay's eyes never left Branch. He had so much more he wanted to say. A grin slipped onto the pink troll's face, looking at Branch as she excitingly took his hands. Clearly, she had an idea.

" Ooh! Ooh! Why don't we show your brothers around Pop Village!? Especially since they'll be here more often to see yooou!"

" Poppy- they should really go home."

" Nonsense! C'mon! Let's show 'em around!"

     A sigh left Branch's lips. He reluctantly nodded his head, letting go of Poppy's hand to move back into his room.

" Jus' let me grab a few things," he said, slumping forward.
" Eee! Today is going to be so much fun!" Poppy squealed as she waved her hands around, animated as ever.

Today... was surely going to be something.