Chapter Text
“JD!” Branch called, closing the door to the apartment he shared with his older brother. He and his big brother lived in a city amongst giants, although the area they lived in had been created specifically for smaller races, like trolls. It had taken his brother years for him to get them to this point on their feet and enough ability to move on. And now that they were finally there, they were going to leave.
They had been planning this journey for years.
Branch didn’t remember a lot about what had happened when he and his brother were taken from their home by a Bergen, as he had been so young and it had been traumatic. JD stayed fairly closed lip about it. It had gotten annoying at points in his life, but as Branch got older, he couldn’t quite blame him. It hadn’t been just awful for Branch, it had left his brother with burns, mild hand tremors and a nasty scar on his face. He had healed well, physically, even though it had taken years, but those memories and those feelings did not go away.
Getting home from school he shrugged off his vest and darted to the bedroom where his brother had undoubtedly dozed off. He was laying on his stomach, face half buried in the pillow, snoring softly. He didn’t really want to wake him up. JD barely got enough sleep as it was. Branch pulled a light blanket over his… his brother’s back.
Branch struggled with that, calling him brother. It didn’t seem like enough for all the things that he had done for him. For the person who sheltered, fed, clothed him and taught him right from wrong. And everything else. For the last, ten years it had just been them. Branch had wanted to talk about it with him for years but was never quite able to muster up the courage.
Maybe when they were out on the road for a while.
Branch had waited for this moment for a long time. For this trip. For leaving. JD had told him everything he knew about Spruce and Clay and Floyd and they finally - finally - found a way out of the city towards the Troll Kingdoms. It would be a long journey but well worth it.
He realized that if it hadn’t been for his young age and JD’s rather long intensive recovery, his brother would probably have had left by now. Long before now. But Branch was older and he could handle it. He knew he could. JD had raised him to be strong and determined. To never give up, always be prepared and do your best. To keep improving all the time.
He couldn’t wait to see his brothers again, even if he didn’t remember them really well. He couldn’t wait to see the look on JD’s face when they finally saw them again.
Their apartment was bare bones now after selling, trading or giving away all of the possessions they couldn’t take with them on the road. JD planned to straight up leave the bed for the next tenant. It had taken him forever to get that thing. There was hardly any food left and their minimal bags were packed waiting at the door.
“How long have you been sitting there?” JD’s voice asked with a muttering sigh.
“Not long,” Branch replied, truthfully. It was a matter of opinion. “I didn’t want to wake you.”
“Hmm… but it is time to go.”
“Whenever you are ready. We can wait until tomorrow if you want.”
“That is what you said yesterday,” JD chuckled with an amused huff. Yesterday, his brother had spent nearly the entire day sleeping, despite planning to leave. Branch had let him. “Don’t worry, kiddo. We are going to leave today. Just give me a minute to get up.”
“More like an hour, old man,” Branch teased.
“I’m 26 you brat.”
He giggled. “Yeah. Old.”
JD eyed him before suddenly leaping across the covers and pouncing on Branch in a brief wrestling match that simply ended with Branch being tickled and begging for mercy in between gasps of laughter.
“Okay, so maybe more than a minute,” JD conceded as he let go. “Just lemme get my glove and brush my hair.”
Branch produced a worn brown leather glove and offered it to him. His brother wore it mostly to hide away the scar that cut across his hand. It was a mix between the mark the blade he had used to kill a Bergen had left and the heat of the fire he had been trapped in. As impressive a feat as it was, JD did not like to talk about it, much less brag about it. Normally that would be a bit unlike him.
It also helped a little with his grip and hand strength, as that was where the source of his brother's hand tremors were. Branch had helped make the glove to help him but he was determined to find ways to make it better all the time.
“Ah, thanks kiddo,” JD hummed and strapped it on.
“I can brush your hair, if you want. It’ll be faster,” Branch suggested. He was better at it than a lot of young trolls his age, especially since JD’s hair could be difficult, as it was sensitive. Another side effect of the fire. He didn’t use it nearly as much as he used to. Or as much as most trolls did.
“You don’t have to.”
”I’d like to.”
“Alright then,” JD smiled lightly. He was probably a bit too tired to fight him on it anyways. They brushed each other’s hair a lot. “Then we can get on the road.”
Branch went through his brother’s hair with practiced ease, avoiding the ends and keeping his movements gentle and light. JD kept his hair a little shorter with a blunt cut to keep maintaining and care easy as he could. It took Branch a bit to make sure everything was in order before he was done.
“Thanks, buddy. You ready to go?”
”More than ready.”
“I’m sorry it took so long for me to do this, Branch,” JD apologized, quietly.
“Oh My! My brother? Being responsible and letting himself heal and plan before jumping into the wilderness?” Branch scoffed in a mock gasp. “The horror.”
“Alright, you cheeky little brat. You are far too smart for your age. What happened to the cute little kid who liked to cuddle and collect flowers?”
“I dunno, I still cuddle and I still like flowers. I just guess you’ve been raising a determined and creative troll who learns too fast.”
“You’re ten. Where did I go wrong?” JD teased.
Branch shoved him. “I have a lot to learn and I’m going to learn everything. But I’m not sure how many ten year olds can rig up decent plumbing soooo…”
“Are you trying to tell me I did something right?”
“I’m different.”
“You’re perfect, Branch. You’re going to outdo anyone we ever meet. Our brothers… will be so crazy impressed,” JD settled on with a soft smile. The fond look on his face was something Branch treasured.
Branch grinned. “That’s the goal! Thanks da… dude.”
“Dude, he calls me,” JD muttered, mildly amused. “Raise a kid for ten years and he calls me dude like I’m one of his child buddies.”
Branch was far too nervous and jumpy to try and throw the other word out there now.
“Let’s go Bitty B,” he said, putting on a densely packed backpack. Branch’s own was definitely smaller but he tried to cram what he could within it and still able to lift it. “You ready for this new adventure?”
“So ready, JD.”
His brother’s eyes softened. “I can’t wait for you to see our brothers again.”
“Me too.”