Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Floyd sat in the lawyer’s office, his foot tapping anxiously on the ground. Surrounding him were the brothers that he’d hardly spoken to in nearly a decade. Aside from checking in to make sure that his brothers were still alive he was content with not having any contact with them. It was easier this way. He avoided eye contact. He wouldn’t even be here if his lawyers hadn’t told him that it was urgent, and judging by the expressions on his brothers’ faces they’re feeling the same way. He just wanted to get this done and get on with his life.

How fitting that their dad is the reason they have to face each other again. Even though the man had been dead for a decade it seemed that he was still meddling with their lives. He hadn’t been much of a father and Floyd couldn’t say that he missed him. He didn’t give a single shit about whatever will or last wishes the man had, but his lawyers said to at least hear the agents out before leaving for PR sakes. So that’s what he was going to do, hear out whatever request his father’s lawyers had and then leave. He didn’t even know that man had lawyers, and he had no idea why they were reaching out a decade after his death. It was all a mystery to him.

The door to the back office opens and a woman, presumably the lawyer judging by her sharp attire, enters the room. All 4 brothers look up, waiting for her to speak. “You are Dorian’s sons, correct?”

Of course they were. Why else would they be here? Floyd just nods, feeling deeply uncomfortable with the whole situation. He doubts anyone would show up for their father if they didn’t absolutely have to. He wasn’t known for being the most kind man.

Bruce answers for all of them. “Yes. We are. Why are we here?”

The lawyer clears her throat. “I am aware that your father has been deceased for multiple years now and I’m sorry to bother you with this.”

“Get to the point.” John cuts in. Floyd bristles at how rude he’s being but he understands the frustration. She’s just doing her job but he, and all of his brothers, just want to know what’s going on so that he can leave and just forget that all of this ever happened.

She sighs. “There’s no easy way to say this but your father had another child from a relationship shortly prior to his death. The boy is about 10 years old and living with his grandmother, your father died before he was born and his mother died in childbirth. Due to health related circumstances he will likely need to temporarily live with someone else. Now, none of you are required to take him in; however, we do like to reach out to family first and give them the option of custody before reaching out to outside organizations.” The brothers sit in stunned silence. Of all the things he was expecting, his dad having another kid was not on the list.

Floyd blinked, his mind still playing catchup to the new information. His dad had another kid. Floyd has a little brother. He’s had a little brother for 10 years and hadn’t even known it. The realization hits him like a train. He’s had a baby brother this whole time.

“You are free to leave if you are unable or uninterested in a relationship with him.” The lawyer continues. “I’m aware that your relationship with Dorian was not the best, but if you are willing to consider a relationship with the child please let me know. I’ll give you some time to converse with yourselves” Then she left out the same door she came through as if she hadn’t just turned Floyd’s world upside down with a single sentence.

A little brother

It didn’t feel real. Floyd looked to his brothers, taking in their shocked expressions. They didn’t know either. Floyd hadn’t talked to his dad in a long time. His parents got divorced when he was little and he hardly remembered his father living in the house. All he remembers is how often he was disappointed by him. He never showed up, never called and never treated Floyd like his son. His older brothers remembered him more, and Floyd knew from the way that they talked about him that he was not remembered fondly. In contrast their mother had been great. Floyd missed her. It had been 10 years since she’d passed. She was the one who always took care of them and encouraged them. She was the one who helped them start Brozone, back when the band seemed like the best idea in the world.

Floyd didn’t want to think about Brozone. Even just hearing their old songs was enough to make him feel queasy. A part of him wondered if he would still have a relationship with his brothers if the band hadn’t been a factor in their lives.

“Did you know?” He asks in a whisper.

“No.” John answers. “I can’t believe that bastard had another son. Why did no one tell us?”

“Would it have changed anything?” Clay asks, shooting an angry look at John Dory. “You probably would’ve just walked out on him too.”

“Stop it.” Bruce commands. “This isn’t about us right now, this is about a kid. This is about our little brother.”

“What do we do?” Floyd’s mind is racing. From what little they know their brother is 10 years old and living with his maternal grandmother. But something was up, his grandmother was likely sick or otherwise unable to care for him. They were operating on hardly any information. Did their brother even know about them? Not like that would change much. Even if he did know about them they were total strangers.

“Obviously he comes to live with me.” Bruce says it like the matter is settled. “Brandy and I have kids of our own already so we have experience.”

“Yeah but your kids are toddlers.” Clay points out. “He’s 10. I think that makes a big difference.”

“So? It’s not like there’s a better option and I’m not letting my little brother go into the system when I have the ability to take care of him.” Bruce crosses his arms as if the situation was settled.

“Now hold on a second.” John cuts him off, “I’m the oldest, I should be the one to take him in.”

Clay snorts, “In what, your camper? I doubt they would let you take him in seeing as you have no concrete address.”

John glares at him, “I’ll rent an apartment. I can try to find one close to where he’s living now to make the transition easier for him. He’s 10 years old, that’s old enough to already be settled in at a school. We can’t just take him away from his life out of the blue.”

“I don’t know…” Bruce sounds uncertain.

“I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves.” Floyd cuts off all of his brothers. “We haven’t even met this kid yet.”

“Does that change anything?” John looked at him. “He’s our brother, he’s dad’s kid. I might hate the man but this kid has done nothing wrong. He needs a home and one of us can give him that.”

“Of course we’re going to take him in.” of that Floyd had no doubts. From the moment he learned about his little brother he knew that he couldn’t just ignore this. It’s like John said, he might have his issues with the rest of his family but this little boy had nothing to do with that. He was innocent in everything and deserved a safe home and a family. They might be late but they were here. “It’s just…well even if I’m not the one to take him in I want to get to know him. He’s my little brother.”

His brothers nod in agreement.

“Let’s get the Lawyer and ask her when we can meet him.” Bruce suggested. “I agree with Floyd, knowing that he’s our little brother I can’t just ignore the fact that he’s here.”

John Dory nods. “Same here.” Floyd hadn’t been expecting that kind of answer from John. He knew that his oldest brother was a kind man, he still remembers how much he’d done for Floyd after their mother died but…he didn’t know. He assumed that John wanted nothing to do with their family. He’d been the one that was most adamant about leaving and doing his own thing after the band fell apart. He half expected John to just leave again the moment the lawyer revealed that they had another brother. John had already dealt with parental duties due to their father’s abandonment in his youth, why would he want to do it again for the other child that their father left behind.

Floyd realized then that he was wrong. John was stubborn but he wasn’t heartless, even now when he wasn’t on the best terms with him he knew that. Whatever issues the brothers had with each other this kid wasn’t a part of them.

Bruce goes to knock on the door, explaining their decision to the lawyer in hushed tones.

“You’re certain?” She asks.

All of the brothers nod. “He’s our little brother, we all want to at least meet him before deciding who should take him in.” John explains. “Can we know more about him?”

“I’ll give you the address his grandmother left with us and her phone number, you can call her to arrange a meeting through her.” The lawyer starts to scribble down the address and number on a piece of paper. “As I said he’s 10 years old. His name is Branch, your father died before he was born but was listed on his birth certificate. His mother died of complications from the birth when he was only a few weeks old and he’s lived with his grandmother ever since.”

“Why weren’t we notified?” Bruce questions. “If his parents were dead we should’ve heard something. One of us could have taken him in.”

“His family decided not to reach out I suppose.” The lawyer shrugged.

“We are his family.” Clay points out.

“His grandmother has raised him since he was a baby, you’d have to ask her what her thought process was. Though from what I’ve heard she has been a great guardian to him.” The lawyer hands the paper to Bruce.

“Then why ask us to take him now?” Floyd questions. “10 years later.”

“She has cancer.” The lawyer says it so bluntly and it’s like a blow. His little brother’s grandmother has cancer. “She was in remission but it came back and her prognosis isn’t great. None of you would be taking Branch right away, she wants to be near him in her end of life care but she’s looking for a safe place for him to go in case she…” She trails off but all of the brothers get the image. Their little brother, Branch, was going through a lot. His grandmother had cancer. She was likely going to pass. It didn’t sound like he had any other family either. No wonder she reached out to the brothers. Branch would be all alone if she were to pass.

“When can we meet them?” John asks.

“You’d have to call.” The lawyer directs him. “Miss Rosiepuff has my number, after you consult with her she can reach out to me and tell me what option she has chosen.” She sighs, a bit of her professional facade fading. “I’m saying this as a person and not a lawyer, but I really hope that you guys are able to help that kid. He’s so sweet and his grandmother is a great woman. I know it must be hard to learn that you weren’t notified that he was born but I’m certain that his grandmother had a reason. She cares so much about that boy and I’m sure it’s tearing her apart that she can’t be there for him for longer.”

Floyd nods, already he feels so much sympathy for this woman and the baby brother he’d only just found out about. “She sounds wonderful.”

“She really is.” And with that the conversation was done. The lawyer had done her job and given them their option. The phone number on the page Bruce was handed loomed over all of them and left them with a dilemma. What were they supposed to do now? It’s not as if they were friends or anything, in fact it had been years since Floyd had done more than answer an email or text from his brothers to make sure they were alive. The last time he saw any of them was at Bruce’s wedding and even then they’d hardly interacted aside from Floyd giving his congratulations to Bruce and his wife. Floyd hadn’t even met Bruce’s kids yet, or Clay’s partner! He didn’t know what John Dory was doing with his life, and now they had a kid to think about. A kid who would certainly pick up on the fact that his older brothers hated to be in the same room with each other.

Branch. He had a baby brother named Branch who was 1o years old.

“How do we want to do this?” Bruce questioned.

“Put her on speaker.” Clay suggested. “Whatever she says we all need to hear it.”

Bruce nodded before typing the number in, it rang for a while and for a second Floyd was sure that no one was going to pick up. Finally there was an answer. “Hello?” The voice of an older woman, presumably Branch’s grandmother, came through from the other end.

“Yes, Mrs. Rosiepuff?” Bruce asked.

“Just Rosiepuff is fine.” She said, “You’re one of Dorian’s sons?”

“Yes, my name is Bruce.” Floyd’s second brother introduced himself. “We’re actually all here, I have you on speakerphone.”

“Very well. It will be easier for me to say this once.” she sighed, “You’ve met with my lawyer, Darlene I suppose?”

“She told us about Branch.” John cuts in.

“I asked her to.” Rosiepuff explains. Her breathing sounds labored and calls to mind her condition. Floyd wondered how she was doing. “He’s a wonderful boy. When I told him about his brothers he wanted to meet you. I think he’s mad at me for not telling him sooner, though he wouldn’t say that to my face.”

“He didn’t know about us?” Floyd asked.

Rosiepuff is silent for a moment. “When my Meadow died I didn’t know what to do. I had a baby who needed around the clock care and wasn’t willing to give him up. I knew that Dorian had sons from a previous marriage but I will be completely transparent when I tell you that I didn’t do much to look into his past until Branch was a few months old. Truthfully I didn’t like the man much, I apologize I do know that he was your father.”
“He wasn’t much of a father.” John huffs.

Rosiepuff hums, “So you understand my hesitance to try and involve his side of the family. By the time I figured out who you were all I saw was Brozone and how much of the spotlight was on all of you. I didn’t know if you would even want to meet a new baby brother who was so much younger than you and I wasn’t sure that I wanted Branch to grow up in a spotlight. I didn’t want him to be only known as the baby brother of Brozone, I wanted him to be his own person.” She sighs. “And I suppose I was selfish. If any of you did decide you wanted custody of him I was scared I would lose him. Meadow was my only child and my husband was already dead by that point. After she died Branch was the only family that I had left and I didn’t want to lose him too. He’s everything to me.” She sniffles. “But now he’ll be losing me and I just can’t stand to leave him on his own. I hope that you can forgive me for not reaching out sooner, or at the very least not hold it against Branch. He really wants to meet all of you.”

“We’re not mad.” Floyd finds himself speaking up. He feels that he’s the one who can put it into words best. “We were shocked to find out that our dad had another son and we want to meet him too.”

“Don’t worry ma’am we have no intention of taking him away.” Floyd is a bit shocked to hear John say that. “We want what’s best for him. Taking him away from the only family he’s ever known isn’t the way to help him.”

“I’m glad. That’s all I want for him.” Rosiepuff sniffles. “I know that it’s short notice but how do you boys feel about coming over for dinner? I think that Branch would be very glad to meet his older brothers.”

“We’ll be there.” Floyd says. All of his earlier plans about leaving the moment he heard out his father’s wishes were now gone. His priority was now getting to know his baby brother, Branch. He didn’t know how this was going to work out, he knew that his life wouldn’t be the same as it was before but he couldn’t just ignore Branch’s existence. Branch was his little brother and he was going to make room in his life for the kid, no matter what.

Chapter Text

Getting to Rosiepuff’s house turned out to be an awkward affair. Bruce and John were the only ones with cars since Floyd and Clay ended up needing to fly out. Floyd moved halfway across the country for his career and truthfully he had no idea what Clay was doing or where he lived but presumably he was pretty far too. Man this sucked. Branch didn’t even live in the same state as Floyd, how was this even going to work out? Maybe Floyd could find some kind of living arrangement around here to be able to watch over the kid. He was getting a bit ahead of himself, planning to uproot his life for a kid he hadn’t even met yet but what else was he supposed to do? His career was currently at a standstill, he had a mental block keeping him from writing any new music. He was supposed to be on a hiatus to get back into the swing of things but the lack of things to do really wasn’t helping.

His agent kept urging him to go on tour, “You gotta keep the fans fed.” He said. “They want something, a new single, a cover, an appearance, just something.” Floyd always said he would think about it but truthfully all of those things made him feel queasy to even think about. For a while the fame and attention that came with being in one of the biggest boy bands, followed by appearing on a popular childrens and tweens show before being launched into a solo career were all that he could want. He got to talk to the big names in pop-culture, got invited to so many parties and was having non-stop fun for a while but now things had grown…dull. It didn’t make him as happy as it used to and more and more he found himself longing to just get away from everything, even if only for a while. He wondered if that was how his brothers felt back when Brozone disbanded. Today hardly anyone really remembered the band, they were big but not as big as some of the others. He doubted that Branch would even know who they were unless his grandma had showed him their old songs. Brozone was now mostly brought up as being “What Floyd did before he was Floyd” which always ended up feeling a bit patronizing.

Since only Bruce and John had cars it was decided that the younger two would hitch a ride with them. Clay called dibs on Bruce immediately which was no surprise, he didn’t particularly like John Dory. Floyd could’ve just joined the two of them, but leaving John to drive all that way on his own just seemed cruel so with a sigh he climbed into the passenger seat of John’s well-loved camper. It was one of the first things he bought once he quit Brozone and Floyd was surprised the old thing was still running.

When travelling here he wore sunglasses and a hat to try and hide his identity as best he could, but right now he didn’t really feel the need. No one was going to be looking for a popstar in the passenger seat of an old camper anyway and it’s not like John didn’t know who he was.

“So, another brother.” John said awkwardly. They’d been quiet for the first 10 or so minutes of the drive. Floyd tried to turn on the radio to ease up the tension, only to hear his own voice and one of the songs from his last album playing. He turned the radio off immediately. Right now he couldn’t even listen to his own songs without cringing. It was just another reminder of the fact that he hadn’t been able to write anything in so long. He had people counting on him, fans who wanted to hear what he put out but he just couldn’t think of anything. “It must be nice not to be the baby anymore.”

John’s attempt at a joke falls flat. Floyd just says, “I just can’t believe that we didn’t know. I mean…10 years. We’ve had another brother for 10 years.”

John nods, “Well, it’s not like Dad was the most communicative with us. But it does suck. He sounds like a sweet kid. I would’ve liked to meet him sooner.”

Floyd nods. “How are we even going to do this? I mean, we can’t just take him away from here, even if his grandma can’t watch him. She’s dying John, if we take him he won’t get to have the rest of the time she has left by her side.”

“We’re not taking him away.” John said firmly. “We’re going to do what’s best for him.”

“But if Bruce really does take him in, that's a far distance. Would his grandma move with him?” Floyd was trying to figure out how to make this work.

“Bruce doesn’t have to be the one to care for him.” John points out. “I wasn’t kidding. I’m not against finding someplace to stay here if it makes the kid more comfortable. It’s not like I have roots anywhere else.” He used to. He used to live with them, as a family. Floyd doesn’t point that out though. He has a feeling that wouldn’t help in the current conversation.

“I want to be near him.” Floyd states. He doesn’t know how it’s going to work out but it’s the truth. Branch is his little brother and he wants to be close to him.

“What about your music? From what I’ve heard you’re really taking off.” Floyd’s stomach churns to be reminded of it.

“I’m taking a break.” He mutters.

John hums, like he understands. “It can be a lot. Brozone wasn’t as big as you are, and it was another time. But I remember how overwhelming it could be.”

“I didn’t realize it was this stressful I guess.” Floyd remembers liking Brozone and the attention, but then again he’d been 16 when they split up and only 12 when the band started.

“Bruce and I handled most of the PR stuff.” John reminds him. “Being the older ones.”

“I remember.” Floyd does, John was always the one talking for the band and arranging shows and appearances. It must have been so much work. He remembers them having a manager but nothing like the amount of agents and PR people that Floyd has. Even with all the help he has it’s exhausting to stay on top of everything. “How did you manage it? I hardly feel like I can.”

“I didn’t. Not really.” John admits. “Sure it was fun at first to have everyone know my name but after a while it just got…isolating. I started to hate it and just wanted to be me again.”

Floyd looks over at his brother, John’s knuckles have gone white on the wheel. “Is that why you quit the band?” He asks in a small voice.

John nods, the movement almost imperceivable. “I was mostly doing it for mom at the end. She was so proud of us and I didn’t want to let her down. Then…” He doesn’t have to say it, Floyd remembers. He was 14 when their mother died, she’d been sick for so long and the doctors tried all that they could but she didn’t make it through. It had been one of the hardest things Floyd ever lived through. The only reason he wasn’t sent to live with other family was because John was appointed as his legal guardian. “I didn’t love it Floyd, I just kept doing it because I thought the rest of you did and I wanted you to have something after she was gone.”

“I didn’t mind it.” Floyd liked the band, it gave him somewhere to vent his energy.

“Bruce and Clay didn’t. I think they hate me for it.” John snorts. “We all hated it, but I guess I’m the one to blame.”

“Maybe they don’t.” Floyd suggests.

“Doesn’t matter if they do. We don’t have to be best friends or anything, we just need to be able to stand each other enough to make sure that Branch has a good life.” John’s tone is firm and Floyd doesn’t argue it. Branch is what’s important here. They have the opportunity to really help this kid and Floyd fully intends to do whatever he can for this little boy that he’s never met.

It’s a good two hour ride before they reach the house, it’s a small secluded home. Floyd would even call it cozy. Bruce’s car rolls up next to them, and soon all four brothers are standing, waiting outside of the house and looking up at it. Floyd finds himself wondering what this home is like. It’s Branch’s home, the home of the little brother that he’s never met.

“Should we go in?” Clay asks, his voice wavering. Floyd understands the tension. Now that he’s here he’s nervous too. This was not how he thought his day would go. This morning he hadn’t even known that he had a little brother and he wasn’t prepared to see his other brothers again. Now here he was, getting ready to meet his newly discovered little brother.

“We told her we’d be there.” John reminds him. “She probably already told Branch. We need to see this through.” The rest of the brothers nod. Bruce is the one to lead the way, walking up to the door and knocking. For a moment there’s nothing and Floyd is worried that they got the wrong house. Then, the door pulled open and a little boy looked back at them.

Floyd felt his breath freeze in his chest. This had to be him. This had to be Branch.

He’s small, with dark shaggy hair. He looks up at his brothers with big blue eyes, just like that of all of Floyd’s other brothers. Now that he’s looking at the kid he sees a resemblance to the younger pictures of John Dory that he’d seen hanging in their old family home.

“Are you my brothers?” He asks, his little voice quivering.

Bruce smiles widely “Yeah buddy, You’re Branch right?” Branch nods. “Wonderful, my name is Bruce. Is your grandma here?”

“Yes.” Branch nods, “She said I could let you in.” he moves out of the way, letting the rest of his brothers enter the house. Floyd ends up at the end of the line. “Take off your shoes, grandma doesn’t like mud on the carpets.”

“Alright Buddy, we’ll do that.” Bruce reassures him. Floyd takes off his boots, putting them next to John’s. While he does he looks around the house, it’s cozy with lots of floral decorations and macrame. It looks like the house of an old lady, which makes sense considering that it belongs to Branch’s grandma.

Branch keeps talking. “Grandma didn’t tell me that I had brothers. I thought it was just me.”

“We didn’t know either Buddy.” Clay explains. “I’m Clay, the big grump is JD, or John Dory.” John Dory raises an eyebrow. “And this is-” Clay gestures towards Floyd, and as he does Branch turns to look at his last remaining brother. As soon as he does his eyes go wide and a wide smile crosses his face.

“Floyd!” He cheers and before Floyd knows it he’s got a child hugging him tightly around the middle as he presses his face into Floyd’s chest. Floyd hugs him back, noticing the confused looks on their faces.

“You already know Floyd?” John asks, giving Floyd a questioning look. Floyd just shrugs. He doesn’t think that he’s ever met Branch before, and if he did then he had no idea he was his little brother.

Branch nods, “I saw him on TV!”

Oh. Oh. Branch knows who Floyd is because of his work on kids TV.

“Oh really?” Floyd laughs. “I bet this is a shock isn’t it?”

Branch nods, buzzing with excitement, “I can’t believe that you’re my big brother. This is the coolest thing ever.” He grabs Floyd’s hand, dragging him further into the home. “I can’t wait to show Grandma. And then I can tell all of my friends. They’re going to be so jealous. Do you think you could come to school with me?” He’s talking so fast, question after question as he leads Floyd further into the house. Floyd just follows him, he’s willing to do anything for his little brother. He’s just met the kid and already he knows that he loves him. He wasn’t expecting the warm welcome, but he appreciates it nonetheless.

His brothers follow awkwardly and Floyd swears that he hears Clay grumble something about Floyd hogging their little brother. He ignores it for now as a living room and older woman come into view. Branch parks Floyd in front of her, happily chattering away.

“Grandma, they got here and look! Floyd is from TV!” Rosiepuff looks sick, that’s the first thing that Floyd notices. Her skin is pale and she looks frail. He feels sympathy for her and Branch. This must be so hard on them.

“That’s wonderful, sweetie.” She smiles at the boy before turning her attention to the brothers. “Thank you so much for coming. I know that it was short notice.”

“It was no bother.” Bruce assures her. “We wanted to meet Branch the moment we found out about him.”

Branch jumps on his toes. “I have so many brothers, this is really fun Grandma.”

“I’m glad sweetie. They all seem like fine young men.” She looks at the brothers and smiles warmly. “Dinner will be here shortly. I wish I could offer you a home cooked meal but I haven’t been feeling up to it recently…considering everything. Branch helped me pick out some takeout, it’s from his favorite place.”

“That will be wonderful.” Bruce smiles, “Just let us know if you need anything. We can set the table and do the dishes and all of that.”

“Thank you.” Rosiepuff rises to her feet unsteadily. She takes a step only to stumble, time feels like it moves in slow motion before suddenly John Dory is there, righting her before she falls.

“Careful ma’am.” He helps her regain her balance.

“Thank you.” She sighs. “My balance isn’t what it used to be.”

“Let’s get you to the table.” John starts to help Rosiepuff to the dining room, Bruce following behind and pulling out a chair for her. Branch watches the whole scene with a sad look.

“Grandma’s really sick.” He says it softly, so just Floyd can hear. The hand that he’s still holding tightens around Floyd’s own. “I don’t think she wants me to know how bad it is but I know that she won’t get better.” his lower lip quivers. “That’s why she called you. She wants one of you to take me if she can’t watch me anymore. She said she wants me to be with family.”

Floyd feels crushed just by seeing how upset Branch is. Rosiepuff is his only guardian and the only parental figure he has ever known. And here he is, knowing that her time is limited.

“I know that it’s hard buddy.” Floyd remembers his own childhood and watching his mother waste away from her sickness. “And it’s going to stay hard for a while.” He doesn’t know what to say to make Branch feel better. Telling him that things aren’t going to get better right away felt cruel, but so did lying to the kid. He remembered when he himself was in Branch’s place. Everyone telling him that his mom would get better felt patronizing. He might have been a child back then but even he knew that his mom wasn’t just going to magically get better. Based on his experience he knew that sugarcoating things wouldn’t help Branch. “But you have me and the rest of our brothers here for you. We’ll try to make things easier for you.”

Branch nods and holds his hand tighter while he watches his older brothers help his grandma with what should have been an easy task.

Chapter Text

Dinner started out quiet. Branch was glued to Floyd’s side, the food was from a local Italian place that Branch liked and he was happy to chat away and tell Floyd which foods he liked and wanted his older brother to try. Floyd obliged him, he was glad that Branch seemed so warm with him. His little brother was a bit more frosty with their other brothers though, mostly he just wanted to talk to Floyd. Maybe it was just the fact that he recognized Floyd from his previous TV work, but whatever made Branch choose to trust him, Floyd was happy for it. He’d been worried that Branch wouldn’t want anything to do with him or any of them. He was sure that it was a weird experience to suddenly find out that you have older brothers you never knew about, not to mention the fact that Branch knew that one of said brothers would likely be the one to take him in if his grandmother could no longer care for him.

“So Branch, what’s your school like?” Bruce tries to ask their little brother. Floyd’s older brothers have been trying to get Branch to talk to them for the past 15 minutes with little luck. Rosiepuff answered for him most times.

This time is no different, Branch just pushes his food around with his fork. He answers with a short, “Fine I guess.”

Floyd recognizes his brother’s frustration about Branch’s lack of response. He wonders if Branch would be more receptive if it was him asking the questions. “So Branch, what are your friends like?”

Branch lights up. “They’re awesome! Ablaze and Trickee play soccer with me and we’re really good. You should come to one of our games! And then my other friends Boom and Hype are in choir with us. We’re all best friends and we’re gonna have a sleepover at Boom’s house soon. I’m really excited.” The stark difference between Branch’s answer to Floyd’s question versus his answer to Bruce’s was clear.

Despite that Bruce smiled at Branch, “That’s very cool Branch, sleepovers are really fun.”

“Yeah!” Branch cheers. “I can’t wait to tell them that Floyd is my brother. Maybe he can come to my sleepover too! I think my friends will like to meet him.”

Floyd laughs awkwardly, “Well I’d like to meet your friends, but it might be a bit weird if I come to your sleepover.” He doesn’t want to try to explain to the parents of a small child that he, a grown man, is going to be joining them at a sleepover.

Branch seems a bit disappointed but agrees. “Ok, I guess you’re right.”

Floyd’s glad that he’s not too upset at being turned down. “So, you play soccer?”

Branch nods, “I really like it. My friends and I sing too, just like you! We want to have our own band someday. That would be really cool right?”

Floyd laughs. “It would.”

“You know, we were in a band once.” John points out.

Branch narrows his eyes. “No you weren’t.” Floyd can’t help it, he laughs at how certain Branch sounds.

“Hey! We were!” John protests. “All of us were.”

Branch turns to Floyd, “Is he telling the truth?”

Floyd nods, “We were in a band together. We called it Brozone.” Branch keeps looking at him, trying to figure out if Floyd is telling him the truth. “I was 12 when it started, so only a little bit older than you are now.”

Branch’s eyes light up. “Really?”

Floyd nods, “Really.”

“Woah that’s so cool” Branch grabs Floyd’s arms. “Did you have concerts?”

“We had the best concerts.” Clay joins in. “We should show you pictures at some point. We even got into magazines.”

“Woah.” Branch’s eyes go wide as he finally pulls his attention away from Floyd to look at the rest of his brothers. “You guys are so cool. I have the coolest older brothers.”

Floyd’s glad that Branch feels like this. Maybe they’ll have to break out some old Brozone CD’s to prove to the kid that they really were in a band. That would require him actually listening to them though. It had been a while since he’d tried. The last time ended with him getting overwhelmed by a feeling of sadness and guilt as he listened to him and his brothers singing together. They used to be so happy. They used to be a proper family. What changed?

They keep eating, Branch still clings to Floyd but after learning about the band he was a bit more receptive to their older brothers. By the end of everything Branch was sleepy and the brothers had started getting to know Branch and his grandma.

“Branch, sweetie, I think it’s time for you to go to bed.” Rosiepuff said gently.

Branch shook his head though his drooping eyelids betrayed how tired he was. “I’m not. I want to keep talking to my brothers.”

“Oh baby, you’ll get to see them again.” Rosiepuff consoled the child.

“Yeah, we’ll come back tomorrow.” Bruce promised the child.

Branch hums, “Can Floyd tuck me into bed?” He cuddles closer into Floyd’s side as he speaks, making the older boy’s heart melt. Already he loved his little brother so much and knew that he would do anything for him.

“Of course Branch.” He rubs the kids back. “Now let's head upstairs and get your teeth brushed so you can go to bed.” Branch follows him up the stairs and brushes his teeth and puts on his pajamas. After he’s ready for bed he climbs into bed and like Floyd promised he tucks Branch in. As he does so he wonders what their lives would have been like if they found out about Branch sooner. Floyd could have been doing this the whole time. He could have had a closer relationship with Branch. He already loves this kid so much and mourns the time that he missed out on.

He knows now that no matter what he’s going to be in Branch’s life. He doesn’t want anything bad to happen to Grandma Rosiepuff but he is also realistic. He remembers his mom getting sick and how people would always try to deny the inevitable even after she and her sons had long since accepted the fact that her time was limited. Floyd knew that Rosiepuff didn’t have much time left, that was why she reached out to Floyd and his brothers in the first place.

Originally Floyd was in agreement with Bruce or JD about one of them taking the kid in but now he wasn’t so sure. Branch was so clingy to him and he seemed so impressed by Floyd. In return Floyd cared about him. He was such a sweet young kid and Floyd didn’t want to let him go. Now that he knew Branch he couldn’t just go back to his life as it was before.

It was going to be hard if he did decide to stay in Branch’s life. He has a whole career and home set up halfway across the country. Moving here for Branch would derail all of that.

Floyd couldn’t really find it within himself to care. He’d been so aimless recently, he couldn’t write songs and everything felt so fake. This here with Branch felt real. He hadn’t felt this intensely in so long. The love Floyd felt for Branch was real, and for the first time in a while he felt the urge to write. It was a feeling that he’d missed.

“Goodnight Branch.” Floyd caressed the child’s forehead. “Sleep well.”

Branch snuggled into the pillow, “Promise that you’re coming back tomorrow?” he asked, looking up at Floyd with big eyes. Already Floyd knows that he will never be able to tell his little brother no. He would do anything for him.

Floyd nodded, “I promise that I’ll always come back for you Branch.”

The boy smiles, finally closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep. Floyd leaves the room quietly, not wanting to wake his baby brother. It’s hard to leave him but he knows that it’s time. He and his brothers need to talk to each other and figure out what they’re going to do. Before he went up Bruce said something about getting them a few hotel rooms for the night and once he gets downstairs the others are ready to head to their temporary accommodations.

“Did Branch get to bed alright?” Bruce asked.

Floyd nods. “He really wants us to come back tomorrow.”

“We will.” John says with certainty.

“Thank you boys for coming. Branch has been so down lately and I haven’t seen him as excited as he was with you here.” Rosiepuff thanks Floyd and his brothers.

“It was really no bother.” Bruce assures her. “Branch is amazing. I’m glad that you reached out to us.”

“I’m sorry that I didn’t sooner.” Rosiepuff apologies. “I was so worried that I might lose him, I didn’t realize how good it would be for him. If I had just said something sooner maybe he could have had his older brothers this whole time.” She looks so sad at that moment. Floyd had been thinking the same thing though he didn’t plan on voicing it to her.

“We’re here now and that’s what’s important.” He assures her. They couldn’t change the past but they could change Branch’s future. “We’re here for him. I already love him so much.”

Rosiepuff smiles at him warmly, “He’s a great kid. He’s my whole world and I just want what’s best for him.”

“So do we.” John take’s Rosiepuff’s hand. “No matter what happens with Branch, just know that we’re all here for him. He’s our family and we don’t turn our backs on family.”

Those words rub Floyd the wrong way and fill him with discomfort. They’re all vowing not to turn their backs on Branch, but wasn’t that what they did to one another? He hasn’t been close to any of his brothers in years and the only reason they’re talking right now is because of Branch. How can they promise to be a good support system for him when they can hardly even call themselves a family at this point.

What Rosiepuff says next just makes Floyd feel all the more guilty, “I can see how close you boys are, I’m sure that Branch will be in good hands.” She has no idea how wrong she is.

Floyd dwells on her words through the short car ride to the hotel that Bruce had booked them some rooms in. Roisepuff thought they were close but she couldn’t be farther from the truth. Floyd and his brothers hardly knew how to be brothers with each other, so how were they going to be good brothers for Branch?

He finally brings it up. Bruce got them two rooms, one for Clay and Floyd and one for him and John. Before they go their separate ways they meet to discuss how things went.

“There is no way we can make Branch leave.” John starts them off. “You heard him talking about his friends and school. We can’t take that away from him.”

“I still think it would be better if he stayed with me and Brandy. We already have experience with kids.” Bruce sighs. “But you might be right. I would hate to pull him away from the life he has made here.”

“Yeah, but I doubt John would be a better parental figure than Bruce.” Clay snarks, crossing his arms and shooting John a glare.

John just glares back. “Excuse me for actually thinking about what’s best for Branch.”

“I’m just saying, you don’t have a track record for being the most responsible. Sure you won’t just walk away when things get too hard?” John’s jaw clenched at Clay’s words and Floyd knows he needs to step in before there’s a fight. It feels so much like things used to, his brothers jumping down each other’s throats while he’s stuck to play peacemaker. He hates this feeling.

“Guys cool it.” He steps between them. “Clay stop being such an ass.”

“I’m just saying!” He throws his hands up, “John was the one who wanted out of the family first.”

“John was also my legal guardian after mom died.” Floyd pointed out. “He’s done this before.” Clay purses his lips but doesn’t argue. Floyd turns to look at his brothers. “You guys are too busy fighting about your own personal grudges that you’re losing sight of what’s important here. This is about Branch and making sure that he’s ok. He’s about to lose the only parental figure he has left and that’s going to be hard. He needs us to be there for him, and more importantly he needs us to be on the same page.”

“It’s easy for you to say, you’re his favorite.” John points out.

Floyd just sighs. “I didn’t choose that, you know.”

“We know Floyd, it’s just that Branch kinda hates the rest of us.” Clay points out. “He didn’t even want to talk to Bruce, and he’s is the most reasonable of all of us.”

“He’s a kid. He was just excited to see a familiar face.” Floyd points out. “I’m sure that he’ll warm up to the rest of you. He was excited about the band.”

John scoffs, “If only the band wasn’t the thing that tore us apart in the first place.”

Clay rolls his eyes, “The way I remember it, you were the thing that tore us apart.”

“Fuck off Clay.” John grits his teeth . “You act like you’re the only victim here but the band sucked for all of us. Am I really such a villain for wanting out? I wanted to have my own life Clay, it was driving me crazy to be shoved in a box.”

“Me too! I Hated just being the fun “party boy” but you didn’t do anything to stop it.”

“You never told me that you hated it!”

“You should’ve noticed.”

“Guys!” Bruce stepped in, “Floyd is right. How can we expect to be a family to Branch when we can’t even be a family to each other.”

“He’s going to need us.” Floyd said, recalling his own past. “He’s just a kid. He’s younger than I was when Mom died. And he’s alone. I had you guys, Bruce and John looked out for me and Clay was my best friend.” His brothers all look guilty at the reminder of how young Floyd had been when they lost their mother. “He doesn’t need drama. I know that I didn’t. I would’ve been happier without the band. I would’ve been happier with just my brothers.” A pained look crosses John’s face.

“I’m sorry Floyd. I never should have kept things going.”

Floyd just shakes his head. “We can’t stay stuck in the past. That’s what’s kept us apart this whole time. If we keep focusing on all the things that we did back then we won’t be able to move forward. I don’t want to live like this anymore. I don’t want to keep going, not knowing what’s going on with you, not having a role in Bruce’s kids’ lives, or knowing what Clay’s doing or where you are John. I want to be a family again.”

His brothers all look emotional as he says that before Bruce finally breaks the silence. “Me too.”

“And me.” John adds.

Then finally Clay. “I guess…I want that too.”

Floyd nods. “It’s settled then, we need to learn to be brother’s again. For Branch and for us.”

They start with talking. At first it’s just Bruce telling them about his kids. Floyd hadn’t realized just how much he’d been missing out on from his brother’s lives. He should have known all of this already. But he was learning it now. It felt like getting to know them again but it was working. John told them about the places he’d been, and Clay told them about getting his degrees…both of them. Floyd hadn’t even known that he’d gone back to school. There was so much that he’d missed out on while focused on his own life. Finally he tells his brothers about his tours and music, and about his current inability to write anything.

“I just feel so stupid. Everyone is counting on me and I can’t even do this.”

John puts a hand on his shoulder. “A word of advice, do it because you want to, not because someone else says you should.”

Floyd nods. Later that night, after Clay has dozed off on the hotel bed next to his, Floyd pulls out a worn journal and for the first time in a while starts to write. He doesn’t focus on what’s popular or what will be a hit with the fans, he focuses on what he feels right now; his relationship with his brothers and his newfound desire to protect Branch. He writes what he feels, and it feels good.