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It wasn’t often that Brozone got a break from their training schedules. Usually between school, practice and their daily chores their days were packed. But today they got a true and proper day off to just have fun and be kids. All of John Dory’s brothers jumped on the chance to live a normal life.
Spruce was off with the friends that he rarely got to hang out with, Clay was off “playing with friends” though John knew he was likely at the library buried in a book and Floyd was spending the day with their grandma. It was the type of thing that other kids could do any day, but they weren’t other kids. The band ate up so much of their time and John knew that it was weighing on his brothers. He wished there was another way to support their family but so far he hadn’t found one. But at least today they could all be kids.
The day off included their youngest brother, Baby Branch. Not that he had much else to do with his days, he was still just a toddler. Today, on their rare day off, he was stuck with his oldest brother, and John was determined to make the day as fun as possible for the little guy. That’s why he was here, pushing Branch’s stroller around the exhibits at the local zoo and letting his little brother look at the animals. Clay read him a book about animals a few days ago and Bitty was obsessed, so what better way to make his baby brother happy than spend a day at the zoo looking at animals?
So far they’d seen big cats, an assortment of lizards and bugs and a variety of other creatures. Branch’s favorite however were the zebras. John parked the stroller by the edge of their exhibit so that Branch could spend as much time as he wanted looking at the striped creatures. It had been a while 10 minutes now and Branch was still captivated. His blue eyes were big as he looked at them. They weren’t even doing anything that interesting, just eating and walking a few steps to some new grass but to Branch it must have been magical. He was just a small child after all and he’d never seen animals like this.
After a few moments John decided to lift Branch out of his stroller and let him waddle around at his own palace to see the animals. Eagerly Branch toddled around to try and see the animals at different angles. John felt so mushy and emotional as he saw just how excited this simple thing made his little brother. He loved Bitty so much and he wished they could have more days like this. He didn’t care how much time it took, if Branch wanted to spend all day watching the zebras walk around and eat grass then that was what they were going to do.
Right now Bitty B was standing at the bars, holding them with his chubby fingers as he stared in awe at the animals. He still had that childlike sense of wonder that John Dory hadn’t felt in a very long time. He missed when something as simple as seeing an animal go about its usual routine was the coolest thing in the world.
“They’re so awesome.” Branch turned to look at John, a wide smile across his face. “Can we have one?”
John just laughed. “No Bitty.” He said gently. The toddler pouted, looking back at the Zebras. “They have to live here, it’s their home.”
“I could take care of one.” Branch grumbled. “I want to ride it and give it ice cream.”
John closes the distance between himself and his littlest brother, then leans down and scoops the toddler up by his middle. “I don’t think they can eat ice cream,” he says. “I think it would make them sick.”
“My Zebra would eat ice cream.” Branch announces. “And it would wear fun hats.”
John turned his little brother to face him and raised an eyebrow. “Will it now?”
Branch nods, and says with the confidence that only a baby can have, “Yeah, so we have to bring one home today.”
“Sure.” There is no way that they are bringing a Zebra home. John’s pretty sure that isn’t even legal, and even if it was there was no way that they could take care of a small pet in their already very crowded house much less an animal as large and care intensive as a Zebra. But he doesn’t have the heart to tell his baby brother no. He wants Branch to be able to hold onto his childish dream for a little while longer. He lets Branch watch the Zebras for a little while longer before he decides that it’s time for the two of them to move on. He needs to get Branch home for a nap soon and should feed him soon. He has a feeling that the toddler might want ice cream, just based off his earlier statement.
He leads his littlest brother through the rest of the zoo, they look at the other animals but the zebras remain Branch’s favorites. The toddler's energy starts to fail and his blinks get longer and longer. John knows that he needs to feed the kid and then take him home. It was a nice trip though, he’s glad that he chose to spend his day off with Bitty B. On the way out they have to pass through the gift shop, luckily John knows that the ice cream stand is right outside of it and he plans to get Branch a little kiddie dish on the way out, not that he has told the trolling that yet.
“Johnny, Johnny, look.” Branch calls out, suddenly wide awake and very excited. John follows his point and sees just what had made Branch so excited.
It was a small plush zebra, perfectly sized to fit in a toddlers hands.
“Can I have it Johnny?” Branch looks up at him, John is about to say no. They’re on a tight budget and usually he doesn’t get Branch too many toys. But there is no way that he can say no to that hopeful look in Branch’s eyes. Plus, he’d liked the zebras so much earlier and asked to take one home…it was practically meant to be. John was pretty sure he had enough of his own allowances left to cover the stuffie and the ice cream. He grabs one of the zebras and gives it to Branch. The kid squeals and cuddles it from his place in the stroller and John knows that he’s making the right choice. On their way out Branch gets an ice cream in his favorite flavor, blueberry.
Just like he announced earlier he insists that he needs 2 in case the zebra wants some, and he makes sure to tell John that he’ll have their grandma help him make his zebra a fun hat. John’s glad that he likes it so much, he loves spending time with his little brother like this and getting a reminder that at the end of the day they’re all just kids. Bitty is still just a toddler, even if that’s easy to forget with the band.
By the time that he makes it back to their pod, Branch is fast asleep in his stroller, John is careful as he lifts him out and carries him to his crib. He’s careful as he lays the baby down, wipes off the last of the ice cream from his face and then tucks Branch and his new pet zebra into bed.
“I love you Baby Branch.” He whispers as he lays a soft kiss on his forehead. “Sleep well.”