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Being in front of the stage with the rest of the audience was a new experience for Floyd. Watching Branch perform to the screaming of hundreds of fans wasn't technically a new experience but it had only happened once before twenty years ago and it felt brand new. It felt amazing…even though Floyd wanted to be up there so bad. This was his song Branch was singing! It was for Floyd. He should be up there singing and dancing with Branch.
Not that it wasn't nice dancing with his older brothers too. The four of them mirrored Branch's movements, and when Branch sang about losing control, Floyd couldn't help but belt out “Yeah, yeah!”
The energy was awesome. Floyd felt more alive than he had in years. His whole body throbbed in time with the beat. Every second felt like a full minute and Floyd was moving with hyper speed.
Then Branch caught his eye, smirked, and gestured for them to come up.
Floyd's heart was going to explode with joy. Branch did want them up there! He wanted his brothers and his band to perform together. He couldn't get on stage fast enough and by the way the other three were hustling, they couldn't either.
They've never performed with this many members at once but somehow they fell into position naturally. Not bad for not practicing with the new band. Privately Floyd wondered if Branch taught the new bandmates BroZone's old dances because they were doing pretty good.
As they danced, Floyd kept his eyes on Branch. He couldn't help it, delighting every time that their eyes met on stage and wanting it to happen again. Floyd gave his absolute best, pushed the limits of the drugs running through his system. What's more was that he enjoyed it. The lights, the music, singing at the top of his lungs and harmonizing with his brothers, the sweat dampening his fur, the way his heart galloped in his chest. Floyd felt alive, so amazingly alive, and all the people he loved most were right here with him. As the show went on - with Viva and Poppy joining them halfway through - Floyd felt the past two years melt away.
This was pure happiness. This was everything good in the world.
Floyd smiled so much his face hurt.
Time flew by and before he knew it, the show was over. The audience went wild. They clapped and cheered for a solid fifteen minutes afterwards.
Branch wrapped one arm around Poppy and the other around Floyd, pulling them both in close.
Viva and Clay danced in circles, gushing to each other and then they too wrapped their arms around the trio.
John Dory and Bruce weren't far behind, smooshing Floyd between their hot, sweaty bodies until he couldn't even see past them.
And finally, finally there was the new band. Floyd didn't even know their names but they were definitely Pop Trolls because they formed a ring around BroZone and hugged them tightly. Like they were best friends and not the replacements. Floyd couldn't even be upset about it because it was good to know someone was looking after his baby brother.
Laughter bubbled up and then Floyd was laughing. He was so happy and so sweaty and so high. This was the best day of his life, hands down. It was impossible not to laugh with the sheer joy of it all. Floyd laughed until tears ran down his face.
No one saw because everyone else was laughing and talking and cheering and the audience was still roaring approval.
“We're back, baby!” One of Floyd's brothers said.
Floyd cheered with the others. His head rolled and his vision swam. It was a good thing Branch was holding him up. Branch and…Clay. Clay's face swam in and out of focus. “Clay!” Floyd shouted to be heard above the crowd.
Time.
Slowed.
Down.
Clay didn't so much as glance Floyd's way.
Purple diamond dropped over Floyd's vision, changing the colors of everything he saw, separating him from the world. Everything went quiet. All Floyd could hear was his own heart beating, the rush of blood through his veins.
“Floyd,” Branch whispered in his ear.
Floyd jumped in surprise, flinching away. Noise and color slammed back into Floyd all at once. “Branch?” he said but couldn't hear his own voice. Did…did he say it or just think it?
“I think you need a drink,” Branch said, cupping Floyd's face in both hands and looking into his eyes. Branch had the most beautiful light blue eyes, like crystal pools Floyd could drown in. His arm went around Floyd's waist, pulling Floyd to his side. “Poppy, get his other side.”
Poppy slid up to Floyd's other side. She fit against him like she belonged there. And she smelled like candy. “Thank you,” Poppy said, catching Floyd's eyes and smiling.
“You have a beautiful smile,” Floyd told her.
Poppy laughed. “Oh, this one's a keeper Branch. I like him.”
“Good. Cause I plan on keeping him around for a while,” Branch replied.
The rest of the band exited the stage with them and in the crowd no one noticed just how much Branch and Poppy were helping Floyd.
Their fur was so soft! Floyd rubbed his cheek against Branch's cheek and purred. Then he did the same to Poppy. One moment, Floyd was rubbing his face against their faces and the next thing he knew, he was sitting on a lounge chair and they were gone.
Someone pressed a drink into Floyd's hand. “Drink this.”
Floyd did. It tasted sweet and fruity. He looked up and Branch's face materialized. “Thank you, Branch.”
“You're welcome,” Branch said. He knelt in front of Floyd, resting his chin on Floyd’s leg and running his hands up and down Floyd’s arms. “Are you good?”
“I've never been better. That was really awesome.” Floyd finished the drink. It was quite refreshing, whatever it was. He dropped the glass in the sand. Now that his hands were free, Floyd plunged them into Branch’s hair and began stroking it. “How was it for you?”
“Good. It was really good.” Branch's eyelids began to slide closed. He seemed to struggle to keep them open but it was a struggle he ultimately lost. Eventually he relaxed fully, all of the tension melting out of his body as Floyd pet him.
The click of a camera drew Floyd's attention away from Branch. John Dory stood with his camera pointed at them, a smile on his face. “You two are so cute. Cuddling just like when you were babies.”
Floyd rolled his eyes. The world tilted a little with the motion. The high from ring pops came in waves and right now Floyd was riding a big one.
“I want copies of that,” Poppy said, sliding up to John Dory's side to stage whisper in his ear.
“Will do, Poppy Seed,” John Dory agreed, smiling all the wider. He pulled out his wallet and a series of photographs unfolded. “Any other photos I can interest you in?”
Poppy's eyes sparkled like diamonds. “Oh heck yeah!”
Floyd shifted his attention to Clay, who was talking to Branch's new band. “Do you have a financial manager?” Clay asked, fingers steepled. “And if not, may I volunteer?”
“What are finances?” One of them asked.
Clay looked dismayed by the question. “Well, I've always liked a challenge,” he said with a smile.
Bruce was with Viva, telling her dad jokes that made her burst into laughter.
It was good. Everything was all good. He gazed fondly down at Branch. Everything was totally worth it and all would be well forever because they were reunited.
The world moved around Floyd and Branch without them taking much notice. To Floyd it came as a shock when he looked out the windows and saw that it was dark outside. “Branch,” he said softly, gently shaking Branch's shoulder.
Branch had been dozing with his head on Floyd's lap and now he jerked awake. “What? What's wrong?” His ears shifted, listening for threats.
“Nothing is wrong,” Floyd said. “I just thought we could go for a walk on the beach.”
Branch rubbed his eyes and yawned. “Yeah, okay.” He hauled himself to his feet and held out a hand for Floyd.
Floyd took Branch's hand.
They walked out onto the beach. The night air was cool and the waves lapped gently on the sand. The inhabitants of Vacay Island were mostly asleep at this hour, some inside in rooms and some bumming it on the beach. Floyd and Branch walked around the giant bodies of sleepers and walked until they found a quiet cove.
They weren't alone. Bruce sat on the shore, looking out at the moonlight reflected on the water. There were empty martini glasses beside him.
“Do you mind if we join you?” Floyd asked.
Bruce patted the sand beside him in invitation.
Floyd sat beside Bruce and Branch took Floyd's other side. They all looked out on the water. It was as beautiful a scene at night under the full moon as it was at sunset.
After a few minutes of silence, Bruce said, “For years I thought my three baby brothers were dead. John Dory got in contact with me after he went back to the Troll Tree and told me there was no one left. Everyone was gone and no one could find you.”
Branch squeezed Floyd's hand hard. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Slowly he let it out. “The point was to not be found,” Branch said graciously.
“I still could have looked,” Bruce replied. “I know we broke up but I still loved you guys. I just needed space and to figure out who I was outside of BroZone. And then you were all dead and John Dory was hiding in the wilderness.” Bruce bowed his head.
Floyd leaned against Bruce.
“It was the lowest point of my life. My village was dead, my brothers were dead. And I was still alive. It was so…unfair. I jumped off that cliff on the mainland,” Bruce said, his words landing like stones. “Brandi saved my life. She was out swimming and saw me. I haven't left this island since.” Bruce managed a small, sad smile. “At least not until Branch and John Dory showed up.”
Floyd's throat tightened with emotion. Tears rolled down his cheeks and onto Bruce’s vest. How was it he'd almost lost all of his brothers permanently?
“Baby,” Bruce said fondly, wiping away Floyd's tears.
Floyd didn't argue. He was the baby for a long time until Branch came along. Being dubbed ‘the sensitive one's was a title Floyd had earned.
Bruce wrapped them both in his hair, giving them a tight hug. “I just…I just thought you should know why I never went back. I'm sorry for not being there to help you grow up, Branch.” Bruce brushed his cheek against Floyd's. “That goes for you too, Floyd. You were still so young when I left. I'm sorry.”
Branch didn't say anything but he did get up and hug Bruce.
Bruce hugged Branch back. They stayed like that for several long moments until Bruce cleared his throat. “Alright. I think it's time for this old man to get to bed.” His hair pulled back and Bruce got to his feet. He collected his empty glasses and did the drunk shuffle back to his magnificent sand castle home. “Good night,” he called over his shoulder.
“Good night,” Branch and Floyd echoed.
Branch yawned again.
“Lay down,” Floyd said, patting his lap. “Rest your head, Branch.”
Branch laid down, head on Floyd's lap.
Floyd began petting him again, running his hand over Branch's soft hair. Lightly he traced the shape of Branch’s ear with his fingertips.
Branch moaned softly at the touches but it didn't go farther than that. Not tonight, not with what Bruce said hanging over both of them. Under the rhythmic stroking of Floyd’s hand, Branch eventually fell asleep.
Floyd did not sleep.