Meltdown (BRANCH IS SPIDER-MAN AU)

The One Who Breaks the Haze

Branch just went through the motions over the next day. It felt too similar to when his grandmother died. He didn't rest well at all. Once Brandy was released from the hospital, Bruce went to pick up John's keys from the Police Department. Branch hadn't told anyone that he had a problem going back to the apartment, mostly because he didn't think he had a problem. He was able to spend time in the old apartment after his grandma bled out right on the floor.

So when Bruce opened the door and Branch stepped in after all his brothers and Brandy, he didn't expect the tears to fall. He didn't even expect them to well in his eyes. But they did. And once he walked in the entrance, he'd wished he was more disassociated like when his grandmother died. He wished he felt numb, he'd wished his vision went out of focus and his body just went with the wind of the day. Branch tried to escape straight to his room, but he was stopped by Bruce.

"No Branch, we need to talk right now." Bruce said gently and Branch huffed. He watched enviously as Brandy walked off to one of the guest bedrooms with her new Baby Girl.

Branch rubbed at his eyes, trying to hide the evidence of his emotional turmoil. "I don't want to talk right now, Bruce," he muttered, his voice rough with suppressed emotions.

"I know." Bruce nodded before continuing. "I know, Branch."

They made their way to the living room, Branch shook his head only to himself as he confirmed his thought from the day before. His brother did set up his living room to be like the one in his childhood home.

Branch sank into the soft cushions of the ottoman, feeling the weight of exhaustion pressing down on him. His brothers sat around him on the L-shaped couch, their presence a comforting reminder of the family bonds that held them together. Yet, despite their proximity, a heavy silence settled over the room, thick with unspoken emotions and unaddressed tensions.

Bruce shifted uneasily beside him, casting a concerned glance in Branch's direction. He opened his mouth as if to speak but then thought better of it, closing it again with a sigh. The rest of the brothers exchanged furtive glances, unsure of how to break the suffocating stillness that enveloped them.

There was a point when Branch did get tired of the still silence in the room.

"I know you know I'm Sentinel." The three brothers stiffened and their gaze shot up to Branch. Branch wasn't dumb. He thought about why his brothers didn't ask where he was, why his face was injured. He knew why Viva looked so shocked. He hadn't been able to confront them about it either.

The admission hung in the air, heavy with implications. Branch's brothers exchanged wary glances, their expressions a mix of shock and apprehension.

"I'm not mad. I don't even care. It's not like hiding it did me any good."

Floyd's nervous look changed to sympathetic. Before he could try and speak, Branch just continued.

"I was with him." Branch paused to take in a unsteady breath. "He died because of me."

"Branch don't-"

Branch cut Floyd off, "He did Floyd. He saw me in a dangerous position and got tunnel vision. He ran back into that building because of me."

There was silence for a moment again. Bruce wasn't looking at Branch anymore and neither was Floyd. The only one who was, was Clay. His eyes were teary but focused, with his brows knitted together.

"You did well, Branch."

Branch's brows also came together as his face scrunched up. He turned to Clay with a hurt expression.