Work Text:
December 4, 2023
Of all the days the generator could give out, it’s today.
Wind could be heard over the static of the television. Branch and Floyd shift in the pile of blankets they had huddle up in, wiggling their toes in an effort to gain feeling in them.
The door to the bunker slams open and the freezing gust of wind make the 2 youngest brothers flinch and retreat further into the blankets.
The 3 oldest brothers, John Dory, Spruce and Clay dart in and, with a struggle, shove the door closed against the cold wind. They sit on the couch in the living room as Clay takes off his gloves and John Dory and Spruce lean down to untie their boots. Branch and Floyd watch their big brothers hopefully from their places on the couch.
"It's shot," John Dory states grimly as he runs his hand through his teal green hair, shaking out loose snow and ice. "No chance of getting it running again."
Branch and Floyd deflate at the bad news as Branch mutters, "Goddamn..."
"Yeah..."
Suddenly, there is a loud crash from outside, sounding from the back of the bunker. The lights flicker off which make BroZone collectively groan in annoyance.
"Great... This is just fantastic...," Spruce mutters sarcastically as he brushes the rest of the snow off his big, wavy, purple hair.
"I'll go get the candles," Floyd offers as he slowly unwinds his legs and stands up, clinging to the blankets wrapped around his shoulders.
As Floyd takes a step forward, his foot catches on one of the loose threads. With an undignified shriek, he lurches forward and falls face first onto the floor and exclaims in pain, "Ooww!..." Floyd slowly begins lifting himself off the floor as he brings his right hand to his nose.
Floyd's brothers instantly rush to his aid as Clay asks compassionately, "You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine..." Floyd groans assuredly as his brothers pull him to his feet.
"Let's all just go to bed," Branch insists, "It's almost 11 p.m. anyway."
Branch's older brothers nod in agreement with Branch's insistence. As his older brothers are about to leave the living room and head off to their rooms, being very careful of each other's steps; Branch stops them by shyly calling out, "Hey, bros?"
Branch's big brothers stop, turn around to see their baby brother and give him quizzical yet concerned looks.
Branch slightly blushes and awkwardly rubs his right arm as he slowly asks, "You bros don't mind if... you sleep in my room..." His eyes shift away from his big brothers as he quickly adds, "Just for a night?" His eyes shift back to his big brothers as he finishes his question, "If that is okay with all of you?"
Branch's big brothers smile warmly at Branch's offer which is slightly unseen by Branch due to the dark. When they were all young, Branch would ask one or all of them to sleep in his room in case he gets cold or he has a nightmare; so they find it very heartwarming that Branch will ask this question. Even though Branch is an adult now and he wants to be treated like one, his big brothers do think it is funny and adorable that Branch's inner child/Bitty B will come out of him on occasions where he craves for extra affection from them and being taken care of by them. And his big brothers are willing to do just that because that what brothers do and they love and care about their baby brother. They are willing to spend as much quality brotherly bonding with Branch as they can and not missed a single day, hour, or even a minute due to them being apart from each other for 20 years. They know they have a lot of making up and catching up to do, still, at least everything is pleasantly going swimmingly for BroZone for now.
Floyd answers contently, "Sure, Branch."
John Dory concurs contently, "Yeah, we'd will love that." Spruce and Clay nod in agreement with John Dory and Floyd.
Branch smiles softly at his big brothers' positive responses as he replies, "Thanks."
"No prob," Floyd returns, mentally dancing with joy along with JD, Spruce, and Clay. Their 1st sleepover in decades, and they are gonna love every minute of it as he, JD, Spruce and Clay follow Branch to Branch's room.
Heat from Branch's furnace warm Branch, Floyd and Clay’s hands as they hold them to the coals. They hum harmoniously deep in their chests.
Just then, their 2 big brothers, John Dory and Spruce comes in, carrying every blanket they'd all own. The blankets are draped over every part of their bodies, so they can get the blankets to stay on.
Branch, Floyd and Clay stand up and quickly takes some of the blankets off their 2 big brothers, exchanging thankful nod to each other.
Branch, Floyd and Clay have already dragged the cot across the floor in front of the furnace when John Dory and Spruce has gotten there. BroZone set what must have been at least a 5 inch thick layer of blankets on the bed. They all admire their handiwork before Branch whips back the covers and quickly settles in.
JD, Spruce, Clay and Floyd follow soon after with JD and Spruce on Branch's right and Clay and Floyd on Branch's left. Branch positions himself, laying on his right side as his big brothers wrap their arms around him, cuddling and snuggling him in a big brotherly warm embrace which makes Branch softly close his eyes and contently smiles. This doesn't go unnoticed by his big brothers as they mirror Branch's content smile for making their baby brother feel warm, loved, and safe.
Branch sighs audibly in contentment as he replies softly, "This feels nice..."
John Dory concurs softly as he, Spruce, Clay and Floyd softly close their eyes, "Yeah..., it does..."
"I love you, big bros."
Branch's heartwarming reply warm JD, Spruce, Clay and Floyd's hearts, knowing that their baby brother still loves them no matter what as they return, "We love you too, baby bro."
And with that, BroZone finally drift to sleep in brotherly love and contentment.
The End.