Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“What the FUCK, JOHN DORY!?” Bruce yelled.

“IM SORRY!! I couldn’t keep it a secret FOREVER!” John Dory yelled back, voice shaking.

“You had to tell him out of the blue like that, though!? I thought we’d all sit down together for it!!”

Branch, Floyd and Clay stared at John Dory in utter shock. For Floyd and Clay, it was in shock that JD spilled a VERY important and serious secret out of nowhere. For Branch… he never knew the secret in the first place.

And he was horrified.

“You’re… you’re my…” Branch replied breathlessly. He felt dizzy and sick. “No, you can’t— youre kidding! That’s it, right? You’re joking?”

He looked around at his brothers who all looked terrified and ashamed. Only Floyd was able to look at him.

Then the feeling sunk in. Branch turned back to John Dory.

“YOU’RE MY FUCKING FATHER!?”

———

“Grandma, can you put them down now?” John Dory sighed, trying to grab his baby’s egg from Rosiepuff.

“I know what I’m doing, John Dory, you’re only 16. You don’t know what’s best for them.”

“Grandma, that’s MY baby!”

“A baby you shouldn’t be having at your age.”

John Dory threw his hands in the air and rolled his eyes. “I KNOW that, Grandma, I didn’t mean to have it! But I’m trying!”

“John, sweetheart, you just don’t have the capability to take care of them. Let their great grandma do i—“

“Mom, put my grandbaby down.” JD’s mother, Viola, said firmly as she walked into the pod. “If John Dory wants to be responsible for HIS baby, that is HIS choice. Not yours.”

John Dory sighed in relief the second his baby’s egg was safely in its blanket nest. While his mom and grandma argued, JD went over to fix the blankets and caress the tiny egg gently. It was a purple-y blue egg that sparkled a little bit and it had a tuft of dark blue hair.

He smiled softly at it, the argument between his mom and grandma almost disappearing as he enjoyed a moment between him and his child.

“Whatever you are… I’m calling you baby Branch… I can’t wait to meet you, Branch…”

But then his smile faded.

“… I’m sorry I put you in this situation, Baby Branch… to be completely honest, I didn’t even think I’d have you. And I wanna believe I’ll be an okay dad but… maybe grandma is right… I mean, I’m only 16… I-I dunno what I’m gonna do with you but—”

As he gently caressed the hair at the top… he suddenly heard a crack, causing him to pause his speech. He jumped and pulled his hand away. He saw a long crack at the side of the egg and he immediately felt panic set in, thinking he hurt it.

But then it clicked.

“Oh my god…” John Dory whispered. His voice then raised. “IT’S HATCHING! IT’S HATCHING!!”

“Oh my god! Already!?” Viola replied. “Quick, hold it!”

“No! I never had a— I might hurt them!”

“Sweetie—“

“Please, mom, hold them. Please!”

Viola hesitated. She wanted her son to have this moment with his own baby. But she also knew he had been terrified since day one of having this egg. Viola sighed and nodded.

“Okay…”

She scooped up the egg with the blankets and they all watched as the cracks got longer.

John Dory gasped. “My brothers— they have to meet them!”

He quickly made his way to his brothers’ rooms, alerting them of the egg hatching. They all ran to the living room just as the troll’s hair was showing more. Viola, Rosiepuff and Viola’s wife Cinder were on the couch. Viola held the egg close, whispering soft encouraging words to the baby as it began to pop from its shell.

John Dory walked over and watched as the egg finally fell apart.

And out came a small baby troll with big blue eyes and dark blue hair with skin the same color as JD’s. Everyone stood silent as the baby looked around in awe and fear.

John Dory felt his eyes water as he made his way to the baby slowly. “Branch…”

“They’re so cute!” Clay (12 years old) smiled.

“Wow… that’s your baby… uh… what is it?” Floyd (10 years old) asked.

“Niece, baby. It’s a girl…” Viola said with a smile before looking at John Dory who was close to breaking down. She lifted up Branch towards her son. “You’re beautiful daughter Branch—“

“Momma…?” a tiny voice interrupted.

Everyone looked at Branch. She was looking straight at Viola.

“… Did she say ‘momma’?” Spruce asked.

“Oh.” Viola said. She then chuckled lightly. “She thinks I’m her mom! Here, baby, hold her. She’ll understand.”

John Dory tensed up and shakily held his hands out to his baby. Viola placed Branch in his arms. The second he felt the weight of his baby…

He couldn’t even enjoy the moment.

———

“WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME!?” Branch shouted.

“Branch, calm down—“ Floyd tried to mediate.

“YOU’VE ALL BEEN LYING TO ME THIS WHOLE TIME FOR OVER 20 YEARS!? WHY!?” He looked at John Dory who looked so guilty. “Why didn’t you tell me, John Dory!? Why!?”

“Because I didn’t want to make your life hard!”

“My life is ALREADY HARD!!”

“Harder! Look— let me explain! Please…”

———

Branch began to cry loudly as he was handed over to John Dory.

“Hey! It’s okay, baby girl…” John Dory whispered. He cradled her close and tried to kiss her forehead.

She only pulled away and began crying louder. “Momma!! Momma!!”

John Dory looked at her in surprise. “Branch, it’s your daddy… I’m here—“

“No!! Momma!!” She desperately reached over to Viola and Cinder.

He looked at Viola, feeling honestly hurt. Viola stood up and tried to soothe the baby. “Branch, baby, that’s your daddy. I’m you’re gra—“

“MOMMA!!” Branch reached up to Viola, trying her best to get away from JD.

Suddenly all the feelings of doubt of being a father hit him like a ton of bricks. The feeling of like he’ll never be a good father. The feeling of like maybe Grandma was right. He just wasn’t cut out to take care of his baby.

It wasn’t Branch’s fault.

But he felt like the crying was definitely was a sign.

He quickly gave his baby back to Viola. He felt his breathing hitch and his eyes well up with tears.

“Baby bear, it’ll be okay. She just doesn’t know—” Cinder tried to say but JD stopped her.

“No no no— it’s— this was a bad idea, I never shouldn’t kept— I— I’m sorry, I need to—“

And he quickly made his way out of the room.

———

“Branch, I was SO young when I had you. And I was struggling so hard to believe I would be a good dad… a-and Grandma was right… it was best if I just didn’t raise you.”

Branch stood there in silence before taking a deep breath. “So, that’s you’re excuse for lying to me…? You’re just gonna blame Grandma for your choices?”

“No…! No, I wasn’t… look, I just wanted to give you an easier life without me being an idiot and being a shitty dad to you.”

Branch scoffed. “Great job, John Dory… luckily for you, you were only a shitty brother.”

“Branch…” Floyd sighed. “Please listen…”

“I AM!! BUT MY HEAD HURTS! I’m angry and confused and I just—!! I can’t look at John Dory without feeling weird!! He’s my—! UGH!!”

“We know, Branch… we know it’s scary… believe us, it hurt to know he was too scared to be your father…”

“But that doesn’t mean he didn’t do it for you.” Bruce added.

———

“John Dory…” Spruce said carefully. JD was outside behind a tree, panic running through his body as his breathing was shallow. Tears ran down his face.

“Leave me alone, Spruce—“

“No, JD…” Spruce sat next to his brother, a hand on his back. “Dude…. You’re going to be a good dad—“

“No! I’m not!”

“You are! You just need t—“

“You don’t understand!” John Dory shouted in frustration. “I’m not going to be her dad!”

Spruce looked at him in surprise. “What?”

“I’m giving our moms the custody if they want it… but I can’t be her dad…”

“All because she thought her grandma was her mom!? Come ON, John Dory—!”

Spruce flinched back as JD shouted in frustration and stood up. “IT’S NOT JUST THAT! ITS EVERYTHING! I’m sixteen, I’m stupid and immature and Grandma is right, I’m never gonna be a good dad for Branch!”

Bruce sighed heavily. “You know Grandma is always judgmental, JD. She’s just being an ass—”

“But she’s right this time… and Branch… my daughter… her c—crying in my arms, trying to… t-to get away from me… I…” John Dory’s eyes welled up in tears and he covered them. “I’m sorry! I know this is awful! I know I SUCK for this but she’s going to be happier! She’s gonna have parents that are able to care for her and that aren’t… STUPID like me!”

Spruce listened, feeling awful about everything. He was only 14 but Spruce had seen the toll things were taking on JD and he felt so awful.

“You aren’t stupid…”

“You can just say that cause you’re my brother…”

“No, I always call you stupid! I’m saying this cause it’s true. You’re stupid for other reasons but not for this, I don’t think.”

“… Listen, Spruce, Branch is not gonna be my kid and that’s it… and you are NOT going to call her niece, got it?”

Spruce shrugged. “Okay, man. Sheesh…”

And John Dory walked off, leaving Spruce to sit alone.

———

Branch felt guilt in his chest as he listened to everything his brothers told him.

“I… I’m sorry you—“

“No, Branch.” John Dory stopped him. “You have nothing to apologize for. You have every right to be angry with me…”

“B-But you don’t—“ Branch paused before taking a deep breath. “This is just… so insane…”

“Mhm…” JD replied numbly. He then sniffled as tears filled his eyes all over again. Those same awful feelings flooded back inside of him. “I just wish… I-I wish I could’ve been a better father to you… but I couldn’t even be a good brother, especially when our moms died… I… I’ve failed you. And I’m so so sorry…”

Branch felt his eyes well up as he covered his eyes. He began to sob into his hands, elbows resting on his legs. His brain tried its best to process all he’s just learned. It was just all too overwhelming…

“I love you, Branch…” John Dory’s voice shook. “I love you so much, more than anything in the world… the second you were born, I loved you so so much!”

“I just wish you hadn’t lied to me…”

“I know… b-but if I did tell you everything m… I feel like all the things I’ve done would’ve hurt you so much more had I been your father.”

“Or maybe we would’ve been closer! Have you ever thought of that!? I loved our moms but I needed my dad the entire time! I needed YOU!”

John Dory sat there silently. He sighed heavily. “You’re right. Maybe things just… would’ve been better… but you gotta understand I was still 16 when I had you… I did what I thought was best at the time…”

“…I know… I’m sorry I was such a burden…”

“No, you weren’t a burden! It was never you. Its was always me.”

———

John Dory watched his moms as they fed and fussed over Baby Branch. She was a quiet baby, nothing like how she was her first few seconds of being hatched. She was such a giggly baby. Everytime she smiled and giggled, JD felt his heart melt… before it faded into a painful sadness that had him breaking down in his room.

He loved Branch to pieces. He wanted to do whatever it took to make her happy.

And if that means not being her father… then so be it.

He figures it was for the best. He was still a kid himself. She didn’t need such an irresponsible child to raise her, as Rosiepuff often implied not-so-subtlely, causing JD to suddenly fall into another painful spiral.

It was better this way.

It was better this way.

It was better this way.

———

“You don’t have to call me dad at all if you can’t, I know how fucked this all is…” John Dory stated.

“No shit…” Branch chuckled weakly, so tired from… everything. Everything was exhausting. “As for calling you dad…? I… I dunno… that’s still so weird to say… you’re my dad…”

“… And you’re my son…”

“And you guys…” Branch looked at his ‘brothers’. “… You’re my uncles…?”

They all nodded. “But you always felt like our baby brother.” Clay quickly added

“We have always loved you, brother or nephew.” Bruce said gently.

“And believe us… nothing matters to us more than making sure you’re happy and safe and loved…” Floyd said.

“And no matter what choice I made with you, you were always my baby boy…” John Dory smiled. “I know, I don’t say mushy bullshit like that usually but it’s so so true…”

Branch couldn’t help the smile that slowly formed across his face. Tears filled his eyes.

“As insane as this is, it’s better than having a dead parent. Heh… I love you guys so much…”

They all smiled and squeezed Branch into a tight group hug. They stayed that way for a few seconds and when they split, John Dory held Branch’s face in his hands.

“My Baby Branch…”

“… D… Dad…”

John Dory looked at him in shock. “Y-You… you said— you actually said it…”

“Yeah… I did…”

John Dory smiled. “Oh my fucking god, this is so unreal! You called me dad!!”

Branch laughed through his tears, sniffing. “My dad!”

“My baby boy!!”

John Dory scooped him up into a tight embrace, getting up and spinning Branch around. “He called me dad!!!”

Branch laughed. “Dad, stop!! You’re so stupid!”

“You love me for it!!”

———

“Dory…” Baby Branch mumbled to suddenly one day. John Dory jolted a bit.

Wait… that couldn’t have been…

“Dory…!” Branch smiled up at him.

His eyes widened. “Y-You just—!”

Baby Branch giggled at his expression, not really understanding the importance of what she had just said. John Dory stared at her for a moment before laughing.

“Baby Branch!!” He scooped her up and hugged her tightly. “You said it!! Awesome job, baby girl! You did it!”

Baby Branch squealed and giggled, leaning her head against his chest. “Doryyy!!”

JD sighed softly and held her close.

He was so happy.

For just a moment he didn’t feel so hopeless. He didn’t feel so bad for himself. Branch was in his arms, his second word being John Dory’s name, and Branch was happy to be with him.

This was a happy moment. It won’t last but he was going to enjoy every little moment with his daughter even if she didn’t know the truth.

———

“Hey, gang!” John Dory greeted with a bright smile. It was a week since the reveal but Branch hadn’t told anyone yet. He wanted it to be a surprise so he waited for the perfect moment.

But now that he had all his close friends with him on a beautiful day, he decided that that day was the perfect one.

“Wassup, dad!” Branch replied happily.

John Dory stopped dead in his tracks.

Everyone looked at him.

Branch just kept his smile. “You gonna sit with us or not?”

“Uh… Branch?” Poppy said.

“Yup?”

“Did you just call John Dory ‘dad’?” She giggled a bit.

“Someone sees their big bro as a father figure!” Suki commented with a chuckle.

Branch turned back to his friends and shrugged. “What else am I supposed to call the man that brought me into this world?”

Everyone got silent again. JD was beyond shocked.

After a long while of confused silence, JD chuckled. “Okay, I did NOT think you’d drop it on them today.”

“Wait…” Smidge said slowly. “Are you saying…?”

“Turns out John Dory is my dad.” Branch said with a shrug.

“WHAT!?” Poppy yelled. “So, does that mean your BROS are actually your—“

“Uncles.” Floyd smiled. “And his grandma was actually his great grandma.”

“You can scream, Poppy.” Branch said.

And she did, running back and forth to let out her energy before collapsing into her chair. “Ohhhh I’m gonna get a headache if I hear any more dark secrets.”

Branch laughed before standing up and holding John Dory’s arm. “Allow me to reintroduce him… guys, this is John Dory… my dad.”

John Dory looked at his son who looked at his friends with a proud smile.

He was proud… of John Dory? He was proud of how he is his dad?

John Dory smiled before placing a kiss on Branch’s forehead. “And this is my son.”

All of Branch’s friends let out a collective “awwwww!!” before giving them such sweet and encouraging words.

“C’mon, dad, hurry up and sit down already.” Branch said so naturally.

John Dory had never felt happier. Never more proud. Never more thankful.

He was so excited to spend the rest of his life as Branch’s dad. Like he always wished to be.

Chapter Text

John Dory found himself on the couch with his son resting next to him against the arm of it. They were watching a movie and Branch was out like a light just halfway through. Which was fine by JD. As long as his son was comfortable and rested.

He fixed the blanket draped over Branch’s body and was about to turn off the movie when he heard a whimper.

He looked over at Branch immediately.

Branch let out a whimper again. “No…”

Aw man, he was having a nightmare…

“No please…”

John Dory scooted closer towards his son carefully. “Branch…?”

“Please don’t… please…!”

“It’s okay, you’re okay…” JD whispered as he moved to run a hand through Branch’s blue hair.

“Dad, please!” Branch shouted. JD froze. “Please, dad, don’t leave! Please!”

John Dory felt like his heart tore in half. Was he dreaming of that day the band split up…? The day JD… abandoned him…? Only this nightmare version seemed to be even more cruel by having Baby Branch aware of JD being his father…

“I’m sorry! I won’t do it again, daddy! Please don’t go!” Branch’s voice broke as tears ran down his face.

“No no no no…” John Dory got up and kneeled next to the couch. He pet Branch’s hair softly, kissing his forehead. “Shhh… it’s okay… I’m not going anywhere, Baby Branch…”

Branch cried and cried in his sleep. “I’m sorry—!”

“Shhh shh shh… you have nothing to be sorry for… my baby… I’m so so sorry… I won’t leave you, I promise…”

Branch whimpered, curling into himself. “Daddy…”

“I’m here… my sweet, amazing boy…”

Branch’s hand then reached forward towards his dad who happily took it gently and kissed it. “I’m here. I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”

He stared that way as Branch sniffled and whimpered, mumbling small things and JD replying in comfort. Soon, Branch’s sniffling and whimpering stopped and was replaced with soft breathing and sleepy hums.

John Dory sighed in relief before kissing Branch’s forehead once more.

“You’ll always be my Baby Branch…”

He could’ve sworn he saw a smile on Branch’s when he said that.

Yup. Still his Baby Branch. And he was going to do all he could to protect and take care of him no matter how old he gets.