Brozone Brain Rot

The Bus Ride Home

Tis finished, enjoy. I made myself cry writing this

After the brothers pulled away from the hug and Velvet and Veneer were arrested, they decided it was time to head out.
Floyd tried to follow his brothers to Rhonda but his legs kept giving out from under him.
Finally after several attempts, John Dory came over and scooped Floyd up in his arms.
"Are you sure I'm not too heavy for you John?" Floyd asked as JD walked towards Rhonda.
"Nope little brother, you're actually really light." John Dory replied as he walked into Rhonda, Bruce holding the door for him.

John plopped Floyd down on the couch, grabbing a blanket to wrap around him. Floyd didn't even realize he was shivering. JD got in Floyd's face, looking him over to make sure he was still ok.
"You hungry?" John asked as he leaned back and put his hands on his hips.
"Starving." Floyd replied, not remembering the last time he ate. It wasn't like Velvet and Veneer didn't feed him, they did but only enough to keep him alive.
John took the keys to the bus out of his vest and held them in the air. "Alright, who wants to drive while I whip us up some grub?" John Dory asked as he jingled the keys.
"Oo I want to!" Clay said excitedly, reaching for the keys.
"Nope, not happening." John replied as he held the keys out of Clay's reach and passed them to Bruce. Bruce took the keys, a playful smile gracing his lips as he walked to the driver's seat to start driving.
John Dory got to work cooking them all something to eat. JD got done cooking some beef sweet potato hash, serving up a plate for Floyd. Floyd happily took the plate, glad to finally get some good food.
"This is amazing John, it's been forever since I had some good food." Floyd said with food in his mouth.
"Thanks Flo, glad you like it. When was the last time you ate?" John Dory asked, leaning against the counter with a plate of his own.
"I don't even know. There were no windows in the dressing room so I had no idea of when it was night or day. I don't even know what day it is." Floyd replied, continuing to stuff his face.
"Geez Floyd! Slow down, you're gonna choke." Clay joked as he made up his own plate along with the girls.
"It wouldn't be the first time I choked." Floyd mumbled under his breath. Branch choked on his laughter, not expecting Floyd to say anything like that.
"Well I learned something about you that I didn't want to know." John said, Floyd's cheeks darkening.
"Do I want to know what he said?" Bruce said from the driver's seat.
"No!" shouted Branch and Clay at the same time. They finished their meal in silence. After finishing his food, Floyd wrapped the blanket tighter around himself.
"You still cold?" JD asked as he put the dishes in the sink.
Floyd nodded, John walked over to a trunk and flipped it open before digging through it.
A few moments later, John Dory found what he was looking for. JD pulled out a knit black sweater, instructing Floyd to hold his arms up. Floyd did as he was told and John pulled the sweater down onto Floyd.
"There. You can keep it, it doesn't fit me anymore. Is that better?" JD asked, wrapping the blanket back around Floyd.
Floyd made an 'eh' noise, rubbing his arms to try to make some heat.
John decided to use nature's heater, body heat, to warm Floyd up. JD sat on the couch next to Floyd before pulling Floyd into his lap.
Floyd leaned into John Dory's chest, finally starting to feel warm. "Gosh Floyd, your hands are like ice. No wonder you feel so cold, it's like you don't have any body heat of your own." JD said worriedly as he rubbed Floyd's back, using the friction to make heat.
Floyd sighed as he warmed up, feeling safe, full and content for the first time in two months. As Floyd drifted off to sleep, he inhaled deeply. Floyd could smell John, he smelt musky and woodsy with a touch of fresh rain. It was a comforting fresh smell, making it easier for Floyd to fall asleep.
When Floyd woke up, he could tell he was no longer leaning on John without even opening his eyes.
He was laying on someone much softer than John Dory, their body being squishy while JD's was firm.
Floyd inhaled deeply, smelling salt water, flowers and something fruity.
Floyd barely opened his eyes but saw Bruce's black and white flower vest in his vision.
He didn't want to get up just yet, instead Floyd played with Bruce's shell necklace.
Floyd didn't even realize Bruce was talking until he stopped to look down at him. "Good morning Floyd. How are you feeling?" Bruce asked, smiling a little.
Floyd pouted and pressed his face into Bruce's chest, groaning loudly.
"I take it you don't wanna get up, huh?" Bruce said, trying not to laugh as he rubbed Floyd's back.
He nodded, very comfortable in his brother's lap and very happy to have his brothers back.
"Well I hate to break it to you but once John gets back in here, he's probably going to get you to eat something since you're up." Bruce said, smiling down at Floyd fondly.
He groaned again before letting out a fine, as if on cue, Floyd's stomach growling.
Bruce was right, John Dory did want Floyd to eat when he got back into the armadillo bus. Not that Floyd was complaining, the food was amazing compared to what he had been eating. God did he miss John's cooking, even the basic stuff like scrambled eggs and bacon.
After eating, Floyd curled back into Bruce's lap. Bruce feeling warmer than John.
Bruce turned on a movie, Floyd could hear and feel Clay by his feet.
Once again Floyd fell asleep, the feelings of contentment and safety knocking him out.
This time waking up was refreshing, noticing once again that he had a different person holding him.
This person was leaner than Bruce and JD. They smelt like artificial grass, old papers and pencil lead. They had their arms wrapped around Floyd, holding him close.
Floyd determined he must be laying on Clay, Branch being of sturdier build and pretty sure that his brothers wouldn't allow the girls to take care of him like this (not bc they don't trust them but bc that's their brother and they trust each other more).
"Hey Clay." Floyd said, looking up at Clay after opening his eyes.
Clay gave a muted laugh and smiled down at his brother before answering. "Hi Flo. How'd you know it was me?"
Floyd smiled and pulled down the sleeve of the sweater over his hands. "Well, you don't feel like Bruce or John and you're a little thin to be Branch. And you literally smell like old papers and lead, just like when we were kids and you always smelt like old books." Floyd said, standing up and stretching.
The sweater had risen up a little, showing Floyd's stomach. Clay reached over and poked Floyd's belly while he stretched, causing Floyd to curl in on himself a little.
"Clay! Don't do that. This is just like when you used to stick your finger in people's mouths while they were yawning when we were kids." Floyd pouted, stepping farther away from Clay so he could stretch again.
Viva watched Clay and Floyd interact fondly, seeing a much more playful side of the serious boy.
Floyd and Clay made faces at each other from across the room, Bruce seeing them do this and laughing a little.
"Glad to see you guys have grown up and matured so much." Bruce joked as the younger two realized they were caught.
"I'll have you know, I have grown up and matured a lot thank you very much." Floyd proudly, playfully crossing his arms across his chest.
"Here Mr. Grown-up, eat. You're so thin and light. When Clay traded spots with me it was like moving a pillow off my lap." Bruce said as he gave Floyd a bowl of arborio rice and white bean soup.
Floyd wouldn't deny the food, everything his brothers made tasted amazing after living off of crumbs for the past two months.
This time after eating, Floyd didn't immediately fall asleep. He was able to stay awake and chat with the rest of the passengers.
Floyd enjoyed talking to Poppy and Viva, learning how they've been living with his brothers for the past twenty ish years, and hearing about Poppy and Branch's adventures.
Every so often, Bruce, JD and Branch traded off who would drive. Clay pouted and leaned his whole body against Floyd's shoulder.
"I don't understand why they won't let me drive." Clay said, slightly angry.
"Probably because you don't have a license." Viva answered, giggling along with her sister.
"And because I don't trust you behind the wheel of a vehicle." John Dory said as he slipped his cup of coffee.
"What! Why? I'm a perfectly good driver!" Clay said, making an offended face.
"Because I remember how you used to drive those big wheels when we were kids and I don't trust that." JD replied sternly as he gave Clay a 'end of discussion' look. Clay didn't take the look, pouting angrily.
"Just because I used to drive toy cars around like a maniac doesn't mean I'm not a good driver. You let Branch drive!" Clay shouted exasperatedly.
"Branch has already proven to be a good driver when he drove Rhonda to save us from Velvet and Veneer. It's my bus, my rules. Which means I pick who can drive." John Dory said sternly, setting his coffee down and crossing his arms over his chest.
Bruce asked Branch to take the wheel while he got between John and Clay.
"Can I drive?" Floyd spoke up, raising his hand as if he was in school.
"No. End of discussion." JD said bluntly, truly ending the discussion.
Clay pouted angrily and Floyd smiled a little sadly, Bruce trying not to laugh at how adorable his little brothers looked. Poor boys had been told off by their older brother and were not happy about it.
"Can't believe he lets literal babies drive but not me." Clay grumbled to Floyd. Floyd chuckled and rubbed his back comfortingly.
"I heard that Clay, let it go." John said from the front of the bus.
Clay scowled and flopped back into the couch.
Despite the fact Clay was clearly pissed off, Floyd missed this. He missed the fighting and teasing and bossing around. He missed his brothers.
Floyd took to distracting Clay by talking to him about what's been going on in his life, Clay excitedly talked about his sad book club and how he and Viva were running the old golf course.
Floyd listened intently, asking questions when he was confused about something or needed clarification.
Once Clay seemed to get it out of his system, he returned the favor, asking Floyd what he had been doing.
A blush crossed Floyd's cheeks, he had done a lot of things he didn't want his brothers knowing about, not yet at least.
"Oh you know, traveling and learning about other music types. Writing my own songs and performing for money. Getting to experience so many new things." Floyd said, choosing his words carefully.
"You meet other music types? Who did you meet?" Branch asked, recalling the other types of trolls he had met.
"Umm, well I met a couple people from all of the main villages. You know, country, rock, techno, funk and I once met a classical troll who was on her own musical journey. I don't really remember all the names of the trolls I met but I'm sure if you called out a few, I might know who you're talking about." Floyd explained.
"Oo, did you meet Queen Barb?" Poppy asked, raising her hand excitedly.
"I saw her and performed with her once but we were never formally introduced to each other." Floyd answered as he smiled fondly at Poppy, noticing how Branch looked at her. Floyd being glad his brother found someone that made him happy.
"What about the other leaders?" Poppy asked, curious how the other leaders behaved with a pop troll in the past.
"Eh, I met Trollex in passing, I didn't meet the leader of the country trolls but I heard she is one tough troll. I didn't meet the leader of the classical troll, just met the one on her way out. I met Prince D and he showed some funky beats. All of them were pretty nice even after finding out I was a pop troll." Floyd answered.
"Well I'm glad they were nice to you. We did not have the best experience with them when we met them." Branch chuckled, gently nudging Poppy. Poppy smiled and looked lovingly at him.
"It's so sweet, it's gonna make me puke." Clay whispered to Floyd. Floyd covered his mouth so he didn't laugh, getting a vivid flashback of Clay when John Dory had his first date.
"Come on Clay, can you not ruin a sweet moment for once." Floyd joked, gently shoving Clay.
"What did he say?" Viva said protectively, standing up and walking over to them.
"Nothing, I said nothing. Don't worry about it." Clay said as he tried to move behind Floyd to hide from Viva, a look of playful fear in his eyes.
"Doesn't seem like nothing Clay." Viva said, playfully scowling.
"Come on Clay, don't tell me you're scared of a girl." Floyd teased, looking at Clay over his shoulder.
"She's no ordinary girl. She's a badass warrior princess who could totally kick my butt if she wanted to." Clay said as he pushed himself farther behind Floyd as Viva got closer.
Viva took a pillow off the couch and hit Clay with it before walking back over to the other couch.
"See? She's vicious." Clay said as he sat up, leaning an arm over Floyd's shoulder.
"Yeah, I'm so scared. I'm not going to help you the next time your girlfriend tries to beat you up dude." Floyd teased, removing Clay's arm from his shoulder.
Clay and Viva's faces darkened.
Viva twirling a strand of hair between her fingers embarrassedly and Clay shouting that Viva wasn't his girlfriend.
John choked on his coffee, having to catch his breath before he could chuckle at Clay's embarrassment.
Poppy awed, trying to quietly get details from Viva, who refused to give any.
Bruce could be heard making kissy noises from the driver's seat, causing Clay's cheeks to darken even more.
The boys continued to tease Clay for a little bit before letting it go. Clay pouted angrily, not looking at anyone as he tried to hide behind his hair.
Floyd smiled before yawning, finally starting to get tired. He curled up under the blanket, noticing how Clay tucked him in despite the fact that he was mad at Floyd.
When Floyd woke up, he thought he was laying on John Dory again but he could hear JD's voice far away, quietly telling Bruce to go back to sleep. The build felt similar to John, realizing they were a little smaller than JD.
Floyd inhaled, smelling a woodsy smell similar to John Dory, some floral notes and old papers. This had to be Branch, somehow being like all of his brothers at once.
It was such a weird feeling for Floyd, being held by his baby brother but it was also somehow comforting.
Floyd finally got up, noticing Branch was asleep. Floyd covered him up, tucking him like had done when they were children.
The bus was parked and everyone was asleep. Floyd tiptoed around body parts to head outside.
Once outside, Floyd could see the sunrise.
They were parked near a cliff, he could see a body sitting on the edge of the cliff.
The body belonged to John Dory, he was leaning back onto his hands, enjoying the sunrise and the breeze.
Floyd came over and sat next to him, inhaling the sea air.
"Mornin'. Didn't think I'd see anyone up this early." John said as he glanced at Floyd.
"Yeah well, my sleep schedule is all out of whack from being imprisoned for who knows how long. I...I wanted to thank you John, for everything." Floyd said as he looked across the sea.
"What do you mean 'for everything'? I don't think I've done anything worthy of needing thanking." JD said, chuckling a little.
"But you have. I want to thank you for everything you've done for me and everything you will do. You didn't have to come save me, you chose to. And when you couldn't do it by yourself, you went and got our brothers to help you. Then after you guys saved me, you go and start taking care of me like you used to. Feeding me and keeping me safe and warm and just everything. Just everything you do. I want you to know I appreciate you and all you do for us. I know the others probably won't ever tell you that but I can tell they appreciate you too. So thank you John Dory, for being the best big brother a troll could ask for." Floyd said, looking JD in the eyes. John turned away to try and hide the tears, Floyd hugging him from behind.
"Thanks Flo, I needed to hear that. Y'know, you were the only one who was happy to see me. I know we didn't leave off on good terms but I figured they'd be at least a little happy to see me." John Dory turned back towards Floyd, wiping the tears away.
"Did you have Branch with you when you showed up?" Floyd asked, a smile dancing on his lips.
"Uh yeah. He was the first one I got. What does that have to do with anything?" JD asked as Floyd pulled away from the hug.
"Well, I know if I was mad at you and I saw you and Branch standing next to each other, I'd run to Branch before I ran to you. They just need some time to let things go, to forgive the past." Floyd said while patting John's back.
JD sighed, the two of them sitting in silence, just enjoying the sunrise. After a while, John Dory stood up, offering a hand to Floyd. The two of them walked back into Rhonda to start making some breakfast.
Breakfast was made, everyone waking up and enjoying the waffles they had made.
As they ate, Floyd started to get a weird tingle in his hand. He ignored it until it started to become painful.
Floyd set his fork down, opening and closing his hand to try and get rid of the feeling. It didn't work, just becoming more painful. It was numb like pins and needles, slowly getting worse until he couldn't ignore it.
Floyd let out a quiet whine, trying to figure out what was causing the pain in his hand.
"What's wrong with your hand Floyd?" Bruce asked, noticing Floyd was holding his hand up and had a pained look on his face.
"I don't know. It just hurts and I can't get it to stop." Floyd replied, trying to close his hand again to get the pain to stop.
"What's the pain like?" John said as he sat next to Floyd, gently taking the 'injured' hand.
"Like pins and needles but worse. It's painfully numb? Does that make sense?" Floyd answered as John Dory looked over his arm and hand. JD gently squeezed different parts of Floyd's arm, checking to see if it hurt.
Squeezing didn't hurt him but they discovered that the pain stopped partway up his forearm. Floyd was trying not to cry but the pain was becoming unbearable.
"John, can I try something?" Bruce asked. John Dory stood up and allowed Bruce to take his spot.
Bruce gently took Floyd's arm, lightly squeezing and massaging it. Floyd let out a pained noise but didn't tell Bruce to stop. "Is this helping?" Bruce asked after a few minutes of doing this, Floyd nodded his head.
Bruce continued to massage Floyd's arm until Floyd told him the pain was gone.
"Well that was weird. Has that ever happened before?" Clay asked.
"No, never randomly like that. That has only happened to me after falling asleep on my arm or something like that. And even then, it's never been that painful before." Floyd answered, opening and closing his a couple of times before picking his fork back up.
"Do you think it could have anything to do with the fact that you literally had the life sucked out of you for however long you were imprisoned?" John asked, looking at Floyd worriedly.
"Maybe, the pain did kind of stop where my arms stopped being transparent when that started. As much as I would like to say that it'll be a one time thing, I'm pretty sure that this will be part of my life." Floyd said sadly as he looked at his hand, seeming to study it.
"Branch, remind me when we get back to Pop Village to talk to Satin and Chenille about this. I'm sure they'll be able to think of something that can help you Floyd and be fashionable." Poppy proclaimed, prompting Branch to roll his eyes playfully before pulling out a pen and notepad out of his hair. Branch wrote down Poppy's note, mumbling out a 'yes your majesty'.
"Really Poppy? You'd do that for me?" Floyd asked, a little stunned that Poppy would offer to help him like that. No wonder Branch liked her, he has good taste.
"Yes of course. You're important to Branch so you're important to me. And you're probably going to be living in Pop Village for a little while so you'll be one of my subjects and I like making sure my subjects are happy. If there's some way I can help my subjects, I want to help them." Poppy said proudly. Floyd was touched, Poppy cared about him despite only meeting him a few days ago.
Although Floyd was sure his brothers had told her all about him, at least Branch had for sure.
"You're such a good queen Poppy, I'm so proud of you!" Viva said happily, pulling Poppy into a hug. Floyd smiled fondly, missing being close like that with his brothers. They would get there, it would just take time and they were already off to a good start.
They started the drive once more, Floyd having a couple more bouts of pain in his hands.
Finally they reached the golf course, Viva and Clay quickly getting out to greet and inform their companions of what they were doing.
Everyone got out of Rhonda to stretch their legs, Floyd in awe of the large golf course.
As Floyd looked around he saw the large clown, letting out a frightened squeak.
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