BROKEN DIVISION || a broppy story

16

ೄྀ࿐ ˊˎ-

Branch found himself at the castle's stables that night. The northern kingdom wasn't the only one that had steeds.

The prince set his hand on the head of a large blue dragon, petting the scales atop its head. Smoke escaped from the beasts mouth at its owner's touch, as it leaned into the affection it was receiving. Branch sighed and tilted his head softly . He always rode this dragon as a kid.

"Grandmother used to get so mad..."

A voice spoke softly and came from the top of the stable. Branch looked upwards to the creaky wooden steps, and saw teary floyd at the top of the attic.

"She'd get so mad when you would go on that dragon, and ride him all day. She'd- she'd order you off him and yell at you to get inside for dinner." A chuckle escaped the pink haired brother's throat. He sniffled, clutching his little fists.

His brother came down the creaky stairs, tears falling down his cheeks as he came to branch and collided with him in a hug. He sobbed into his brother's chest and clutched his sweatshirt beneath his fingertips.

"It's okay." Branch replied to Floyd's actions, caressing his small brother's hair softly, "it's all gonna be okay Floyd."

"How can you say that? It's not okay. We're gonna die." The droplets streamed down the blue troll's cheeks.

Branch watched his brother's face carefully and heard his scratchy voice in his ears. Floyd couldn't read the vague emotion that rested on Branch's face "we will live. I'll protect you."

"I've always been the little one. The weak one. What am I to do branch? I didn't even get to live my life."

"You'll live the rest of your life strong and happy." The prince pet Floyd's hair again, "This kingdom—- these people —are gonna live."

"You were supposed to be king, branch.." Floyd sniffled again, looking up hazily at his older brother. Branch didn't know what to say when his brother told him the fact he already knew. The fact that he had been dreading rushed into his mind. He wished he could forget. "John Dory told me. he heard you and grandmother."

"-Then I will be king. Because we are winning this war."

One of the dragons breathed uncomfortably from behind him, squirming around in its small stable. Branch turned at the noise of the brute, and walked over to see the matter.

A small critter sat on the dragons back; as the large beast tried to swipe the animal of itself. Branch pricked the little animal off the dragons back and looked down to his hands. A little mouse.

He turned back around and showed Floyd the creature in his palm, "Life is everywhere."

"It'll die with us."

"No. I want you to take it."  He gripped one of Floyd's small, shaky hands and gently dumped the mouse. He kept hold of the pink-haired trolls hand, "when this war is over, that mouse will live in luxury with us. It's yours. And Everytime you see it you'll think about the hardships we faced and survived."

Floyd sniffled softly, gazing from his hand to his brother, "-this mouse?"

"Mhm. Even the smallest lives matter the most." Branch sighed, touching his brother's face comfortingly, "they're the most lovely ones."

He hugged Floyd, before the faint sound of yelling called from the distance.

"Grandmas calling for you." and Floyd ran out the stables. Branch listened to the silence of the world around him.

"You really are good with young ones."  A voice uttered from behind him. He sighed calmly, hearing the voice of the princess.

"Prince branch, so pessimistic and sad." She walked nearer to him, lifting the hem of her dress so it wouldn't be soiled from hay beneath her feet. She wrapped her arms around him, "somehow soft inside."

He held her back and whispered to the both of them, "Poppy, I love you,"

"Branch, you're broken. I can see that you're broken." She spoke to him gently, bringing her hand longingly up to his face, "I don't want to leave you worse than you started."

He pulled back, "I love you. and that's enough." Then he kissed her softly, pressing his lips onto her and ushered himself on top of her, pressing her against the forage on the ground. He kissed down her jaw and neck, setting his hands down her waist and to the base of her skirt.

"Who's there."