ᴛʜᴇ ᴀꜰᴛᴇʀᴍᴀᴛʜ. | ᴀ ᴛʀᴏʟʟꜱ ꜰᴀɴꜰɪᴄ.

𝐂𝐇𝐏𝐓 𝟓 - 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐮𝐫𝐞

Was leaving really the best choice?

     John Dory had walked out on his brothers again. Done the one thing he promised Branch he wouldn't do again. Oh fucking well, right? Too damn bad. He clearly wanted nothing to do with him so what was the point in sticking around? They didn't need him all those years before, why would they need him now? Plus, he was never good for them anyways.

     A sigh left the troll's lips, patting Rhonda. She gave him a confused coo, looking towards him.

"Nothin' girl, we're gonna go find a place to set up and relax."

" ???"

"They don't want anythin' to do with me. Branch made it very clear I mean nothin' to him."

     He went to open the door to Rhonda, but she shut it before he could step inside.

"Rhonda- open the door?"

     The bus gave John a look, refusing to open it.

"What? You want me t' go talk to them or somethin'? 'Cause I tried that! They don't wan'a listen t' me."

     Rhonda still stayed quiet, keeping the door closed. This earned an aggravated sigh from the troll.


"What seems t' be the trouble here?"

     
     John's head turned at the sound of the other's voice. Who the hell? He ejected the spikes on his gloves, glancing around to find where the voice came from. Then his eyes settled on a red haired troll. His shoulder's untensed. 

"Woah."

"Everythin' alright here?" Delta Dawn spoke, crossing her arms.

     The green haired troll dropped his defensive stance.. looking the other troll in front of him up and down. She was gorgeous.. Where did she come from? What was she doing out here?

"Y- Yeah! Everything's great! Just having some bus troubles. Nothing a pretty troll like you should waste getting your hands dirty for."

     Delta eyed the other. She'd never seen this troll before.. Why did he seem so familiar? Could he be trouble? What was he doing on the outskirts of Pop Village? And was he- poorly attempting to flirt with her? After Poppy had told her about the capturing and the use of Branch and his brother's in Mount Rageous.. she'd been more protective of the other queen. Helping her watch out for any potential threats outside her village. 

                                          Queens have to have to look out for each other right?

"As long as you ain't causin' any trouble out here," she spoke, walking past him. 

"Wait! Uh.."

     The troll stopped, turning to look at John Dory. She seriously couldn't pinpoint where he was from. Why did he look gosh darn familiar?

"My name's John Dory," he said, smiling that signature grin as he stuck his hand out for her to shake it. ( :] )

     That's where she knew him from. She didn't return the hand shake.

"Delta Dawn."

     He awkwardly moved his hand to rub the back of his neck.. pushing out a breath of air. Nope, dont still got it.

"Well, it was very nice meeting you, Ms. Dawn."


     Delta furrowed her brows. He didn't seem anything like what Poppy had told her. Not that she pinned him in a bad light.. but the things she said? Hearing what this troll did to his little brother's? She was sure there was more there.. To be fair.. she wasn't usually one to give trolls chances after already being told they were bad eggs. Why.. did she seem so not-opposed to trusting him? Especially with how kind he seemed? She looked at him once more.. seeing those circles under his eyes? The puffiness of them? Hm..


"Hey.. 'm not sure what's troublin' you here.. 'cause I can clearly tell somethin's up."

     John looked down at his feet, adjusting his coat.

"I.. live in Lonesome Flats. I actually.. run the place. So, if you need a place t' settle down 'n take it easy at.. anyone's welcome there."


     John Dory glanced up at the country troll. Confusion entered his gaze. She seemed so.. closed off. So.. cold? Why was she being nice to him now? What did he do deserve that? Her kindness.

"Yeah- Yeah okay! Thank you, miss."

"Delta's jus' fine."

"Thank you, Delta."


     Delta gave the other troll a smile before venturing off towards Pop Village.. leaving John Dory with his thoughts. As much as he wanted to take her up on that offer.. He probably shouldn't. Living alone helped John realize how bad of a troll her was. How much of a failure he was. He couldn't protect their mom from their dad. He couldn't protect his little brothers from the world. He could keep them safe. He couldn't even be around for them. 

     John endured hell during his childhood. He promised himself he'd break the pattern. Not let history repeat itself. Yet.. he did anyway. Worst of all? He left a baby. A child alone. The four years he knew Branch.. he treated that little troll like crap. He treated them all like crap. He was really just like their father. An abusive piece of shit.

     No wonder Branch wanted nothing to do with him. No wonder the other three were hesitant on forgiving him. He tried so hard to make up this false reality in his mind of things being okay. He tried so hard to make their childhood not seem as bad as it was when in reality he should be considering that. He should be taking into consideration how badly he hurt them. The things he put them through. His bad habits that he forced on them.

     Maybe that's what Rhonda was trying to tell him. She was trying to get him to go back to Pop Village and apologize. Except.. that's not what he did. He lived with these mistakes.. He was the one who was going to have to burden them. He didn't deserve a good relationship with them. They deserved so much better than him. He knew that.


"C'mon, girl. Let's go," John spoke, his voice dropped into one of guilt. Rhonda reluctantly opened her doors.

     John started the trip to Lonesome Flats. Maybe it was about time he settle down. Not travel so much. It might be good for him. To be left with his thoughts. Brainstorm ways on how to take this issue of his on. Maybe even better himself.. who knows. All he knew was that he needed to stay away from his brothers. Let them live their lives. They'd be better off without him anyways.