Chapter Text
The day started out great, really it did. Branch had woken up, done everything on his list, got to spend time with his girlfriend, the works. Hey, even his older brothers were all around in town to visit and spend some “Bro Time” as they called it.
It was always a mix of excitement and dread when they were all together. Because while they had worked through so many of the problems they had with each other, there were still come scars that came out now and again. Such as now…
John Dory and Clay were arguing, granted it wasn't as volatile as the ones he could remember. In fact you could even say it was playful. Branch of course knew the difference between real heated arguments or ones that others had with each other. His time with Poppy were full of the playful back and forth that had them both grinning and feeling light.
This was different though, because these were his brothers. His brothers who split up and left him behind because of an argument.
He couldn't help feeling foolish, feeling nervous and wary as the two argued over something from one of Clay’s sad books. His fists were clenching as his arms were swinging in the old nervous habit, expecting the worse to happen. He knew things between his brothers had chilled out, but still this was John Dory and Clay. They were the one’s who got along the least.
He took a chance to look to Bruce and Floyd. They didn't seem worried, if anything with looked exasperated but nothing worse then that. Bruce was shaking his head like the father he was and Floyd just looked so done with it all. It wasn't fair, why couldn't he be as unaffected by this like them?
‘Because the last time my brother’s fought they were willing to leave me again…’ The thought rang in his mind and it cut like a knife to his heart.
That’s right… the last real fight his brothers had with each other had been that night in Rhonda. His brothers had apologized more than once to him about how that had gone down and how they had treated him, it was hard to not pull that familiar shield right back up over him.
He’d been let down too many times before. Even if his brothers were keeping their word, the small nudge of fear that one day they would just give up and leave anyway hung over him. They gave up on this family once… they could do it again. No matter how much he loved them and they claimed to love him.
“No way I’m saying … Ugh! BB help me out here!” Their attention directed at him and Branch stiffened like a statue.
“W-w-what? Huh?” He stuttered nervously. He hadn't really been paying attention to the fight at to had droned on, only hearing the brother’s voice raising like he was in a tunnel.
Bruce and Floyd frowned, though Clay and John didn't seem to notice if their smiles to be anything to go bye.
“I’m saying help me out here man. You read the book, so you totally agree with me that…”
“No way!” John Dory laughed and shook his head. “Obviously he agrees with me!”
“I uh…” Branch glanced away warily. What was he supposed to say? If he agreed with one would the other get mad and refuse to speak to him? What if they decided to straight up leave him because they were annoyed he took someone else’s side? Then that could lead one of both his other brothers to leave him too. After all Clay and Bruce were close. Floyd would feel sorry for John and clearly go with him to make sure he wouldn't be alone. Either way, Branch would be the loser in it all…
“I…” Great now all of them were staring at him now. He could feel his already spiraling thoughts plummet even further into panic and fear.
Nothing he said would help and only make things worse. Why did he agree to spend time with his brothers? No why did he even get out of bed today?
Floyd stepped out from where he was next to Bruce, a soft frown on his face. He seemed to notice something was wrong.
“Branch?” He questioned him softly. “Are you okay?”
Branch clenched his teeth and glanced away. He was far from ‘okay’ right now…
“I…” He started in a shaky voice.
“YO!”
The loud, obnoxious shout thankfully caught his brother’s attentions. Including his own, because there was something very familiar about that voice…
He turned around as he heard a familiar whistling. Branch’s jaw dropped as out of the shadows came four trolls. Four he hadn't seen in months…
“Guys!” Branch couldn't run over to the four fast enough, bolting away from being between his now startled brothers to the trolls he also considered brothers. His heart felt light and it suddenly felt so much easier to simply exist as he stopped in front of them. Thank goodness he needed some levity.
“Oooh!” The four Kismet members cheered, throwing their arms up in the air. Even he couldn't stop himself from smiling at the excitement that was shared on all their faces.
“What are you doing here?” Branch asked, unable to hide his joy. The four weren't able to visit often what with their lives so far from the village.
“We came to see you!” Ablaze whooped. Branch blinked in surprise.
“Really? All of you at once?” Not that he was complaining, it’s just that it was a treat for them all to be together. The last time had been months ago when he had let them know he was safe and wanted to perform again.
“Duh!” Trickee strode over and playfully booped his nose. Branch snorted and wiggled it in response, too much in a good mood to be annoyed by the action.
“We missed you!” Boom said brightly, eyes sparkling just like his pelt. “I know we just reunited but it felt like ages!”
“So we thought we’d all come see you and make it a little surprise. Y’know like you surprised us inviting us to that Island for a concert.” Hype told him with a playful wink.
“Oh yeah…” Branch chuckled weakly. He had forgotten his invite to his band mates had been sudden, but the fact that they had arrived earlier than he had thought they would really proved to him just how loyal they were. He really had missed them…
“Got a taste of your own medicine little brother.” Ablaze teased with a wink and smile, one that had Branch laughing lightly. The purple troll’s smile widened and Branch knew it had to do with him not cringing at being called such a thing. Not anymore…
An awkward cough pulled Branch from his happy reverie and back to reality. It didn’t come from Kismet, but the trolls behind him. With a small frown Branch turned his head to look at the other set of brothers he had completely forgotten about.
He watched as his brothers shared a look, awkward smiles still on their faces. It was clear they liked his friends, but they always looked uncomfortable hearing someone claim they were Branch’s brothers. It clearly didn't sit right with them, even now. Maybe even especially now given that it had been a member of Kismet that called him that this time. Not that Branch could understand why…
“So…” John Dory spoke up first, striding over and throwing and arm around Branch tugging him close. More precisely, away from his bandmates as his brother grinned down at him playfully.
“You gonna tell us how you guys know each other or what? I’ve been hearing big talk about this band of yours.”
There were more questions in his eyes, Branch could see them. Mainly, why was it Branch was forced to be alone and raise himself when he seemed to share a close bond with these trolls he called brothers? He supposed from his other brother’s perspective it was like he clung onto the first trolls nice to him and called them his siblings.
Branch ducked away from John and stepped closer back to his band as he cast a smile to the orange troll by his side. Trickee smiled back at him, nodding him on as Branch took a breath.
“Actually I met them a few weeks after you four left.” He was slightly surprised that there was no bitterness in his tone or heart. A true sign that he was finally beginning to move on from the scar they had unintentionally left behind on him. Still, his brothers shifted uncomfortably at the reminder with a group wince.
“It was Grandma that introduced me to Trickee over here. I was… pretty upset for a long while and she wanted to try and cheer me up by helping me make a friend.” Branch went on as he rubbed his arm.
Upset was a bit of an understatement. He had been straight up depressed from as much as he could recall. The length of time it had been before he had met Trickee had all been a blur to him, but from what Trickee had reminded him it had at least nearly been three weeks.
“Yeah, turns out when you're only family ditches you without a goodbye or giving a fake promise can really make a kid become depressed.” Trickee stated, casting a glare at his brothers. All four cringed at his spiteful remark, terrible guilt clear on their faces.
Branch stiffened and jabbed an elbow in Trickee’s side earning a yelp and frown. “We’re trying to mend things between us Tricks…” He whispered. The last thing he needed was help making things bad between him and his brothers. He was already doing a good enough job of that.
“Hey bro you can forgive them but that doesn't mean I have to…” Trickee mumbled harshly. Branch raised a brow and gave him a look, one that Trickee returned more playful.
“Anyway…” Branch sighed, trying to move on. “His mom was good friends with grandma and it turns out Trickee was kind of like me.” Branch flicked his tail at the orange troll with a smirk. “We both weren't exactly like the other trolls around us. Trickee played too rough and was considered an odd ball, and I was the troll that broke up everyone’s favorite band and wouldn't be given the time of day because of it.”
He made sure to not bring up the sting of how he had thought his own brothers hadn’t wanted him. His brothers were still recovering from the painful drop of his life when they left and to this day had to deal with their nosey smothering.
“Yeah we got along instantly.” Trickee beamed at him. “I was psyched when Momom brought you over to meet me, I thought she finally got me that baby brother I always wanted!” He teased. He then threw an arm around him with a wag of his tail.
“I recall your mom telling you that was not the case.” Branch stated wryly. Trickee put his paws to his hips and leaned in his face.
“I recall that I don’t care. You were up for the taking since they left and I got a baby brother.” Trickee stated back with a smirk. “So ha, ha…”
Branch rolled his eyes, faintly catching his brothers share another awkward laugh and shift on their paws warily with a group wince. They looked incredibly uncomfortable, if not annoyed with his friend’s words.
“Trickee was already friends with Ablaze, Hype and Boom since they were all sort of misfits too at the time.” Branch explained easily.
“They adopted Branch too.” Trickee bragged. Branch shook his head affectionately. He could bring up how a kid couldn't really adopt another kid, but Trickee would deny it obviously. The troll always denied it all these years and he’d probably continue until he became old.
“Things just happened naturally after that I guess.” Branch shrugged. “We were all outcasts that most of the trolls wanted nothing to do with and we all just sort of clicked.”
“Now we’re the coolest trolls.” Ablaze chuckled and Branch found himself chuckling as well. Never again in his life did he ever think the trolls that had once looked at him with disdain or annoyance look at him again with cheers and joy. Like he was something to be admired.
“Not just the coolest trolls, we’re the coolest family and band around!” Trickee bragged as he threw his arm around Branch’s shoulders with a smirk. “Right little brother?”
Branch snorted softly with a chuckle, refusing to answer. Trickee put a paw to his chest dramatically.
“My own brother won’t even admit it! I feel faint! Uh!” He leaned against him and Branch stumbled slightly from his weight.
“Get off of me you goof!” Branch couldn't help but laugh. He was lucky they had brought his mood up, because he would have pushed him back into place otherwise.
The rest of the band laughed at their antics, including his brothers.
Well, not really his brothers. They were laughing, but it was clearly very dry with twitchy smiles and narrowed eyes. Clearly they were losing their good humor and just getting annoyed now.
‘What’s up with them?’ Branch blinked in thought before letting out a hum to himself. ‘Maybe they feel threatened that another boyband’s become popular now.’
While they have never really talked about it, Branch faintly wondered if them being back together and singing from time to time at Vaycay Island or even the village were a sign that BroZone the band was truly back. He never brought it up though. He wasn't about to risk ruining the harmony between him and his brothers after so much tension for far too long.
“Oh!” Hype suddenly snapped his fingers. “Branch why don’t you go and introduce us to that pretty Queen girlfriend of yours? We didn’t really get to know her very well back on the island with all the hoopla going on.”
“Oh yeah!” Branch absolutely beamed. He had completely forgotten what with everything that had been going on. “I’m sure Poppy would love to meet you guys! Just, don’t be too surprised if she fangirls like crazy when she meets you officially.” He added with a playful smile and raised brow.
His band brothers chuckled, all sharing knowing looks. They had seen firsthand how she reacted when she had seen them. Screaming and squealing falling into hyperventilating before promptly going limp in his arms as he caught her before she could properly faint.
“C’mon then!” Branch turned around ready to run off, only to stop as another cough made him turn. Oh right, his brothers.
“Uh, so you guys don't mind if me and my friends go see Poppy for a bit right?” He had totally forgotten his brothers were here, but the idea of being able to get out of the argument that had started was incredibly tempting.
Branch's brothers shared a look for a moment before they looked back at him with small, forced smiles.
“Sure Branch, you go on ahead. We can hang out after huh?” Floyd offered kindly. Count on Floyd to agree with him.
“Thanks!” Branch nodded and waved to his band brothers to follow. “C’mon then, Poppy’s going to be ecstatic to see you guys again!”
“How about you run ahead and we follow slower eh Roots?” Hype chuckled. “We had walk a while to get here so our legs are just gone man!” Branch chuckled and nodded.
“You got it! I’ll get here and we can meet up in the middle!”
With that Branch ran ahead, his heart and thoughts light. The idea of seeing Poppy alone was enough to get a kick in his step and help push away the nervousness he had felt before thanks to his brothers.
Today might turn out to be a great day after all!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
To say things felt awkward was an understatement. The very second Branch ran off the area around them suddenly felt heavy and uncomfortable. Hype knew exactly why and it had to do with the four older trolls in front of them.
When Hype had been sent the postcard he had known it was Branch. Ever since the troll had been little he would send messages blank. He let his actions do the talking most of the time, and Hype always respected him for that. It seemed to be something he learned thanks to his older brothers abrupt departure from his life.
Hype could already feel Trickee’s fur bristling and Ablaze’s gaze become cold. Boom was the only one besides him who seemed to feel unsure of how to feel at the moment.
When they had agreed that it would be a great idea to see their little brother again, they hadn't expected Branch’s other brothers to be here. It was a shock and surprise for them all, though Hype admittedly felt a little ashamed to think such a thing.
“So, you four are friends of Branch right?” Floyd offered politely, smiling just like his tone. He seemed even more uncomfortable with them now that Branch wasn’t around the room now.
“We are.” Hype nodded slowly, only to be cut off as Trickee leaned in and sneered.
“We’re more like his brothers actually, in case if you didn’t hear what I said before.”
Hype looked at Trickee in surprise at the rude tone, though considering how he acted when Branch was here he supposed he shouldn't have been.
The four’s expressions morphed into different forms of wariness and startled shock. Trickee threw his arms behind his head and scratched his nose.
“It’s pretty obvious to everyone that sees us together. Then again I guess you don't know much about being a brother to Branch do you?”
The four older trolls froze but Trickee didn’t seem bothered. Not even as their stared hardened to the point where they could make rock candy jealous.
“Trickee…” Hype murmured with a warning smack with his tail. They didn’t need to start something when they just got here.
“What? I’m just telling the truth.” He said innocently with a shrug. “If they can’t handle it then it’s not my fault.”
The brother’s tails lashed at his words and though they didn’t say anything, it was clear that they were majorly ticked off.
“He’s not wrong.” Ablaze agreed with a shrug of his own, stepping closer to his other brother in support. Boom glanced to him nervously and Hype nodded.
“Well, sorry to talk and run but we better go and meet Branch and his girl. Thanks!” Hype shouted in a forced happy tone as he grabbed the two trolls’ by their wrists and dragged them with him as Boom followed behind.
“Hey!” The two grumbled as he continued to pull them.
“Be quiet and just keep walking…” Hype hissed to them. He was thankful they listened and kept their silence until there was enough distance from them and the former boy band members. Once done he dropped their wrists and whipped around to give them a glare. More in particular the orange troll who started the whole thing.
“Okay Tricks, what the hair was that?” Hype asked the moment they were alone.
“I have no idea what you mean.” Trickee answered him all too giddily, smiling at him with a flutter of his eyes before snickering to himself. Hype narrowed his eyes.
“Sure you don’t. Trickee we came here to see Branch, not to start picking fights.” He kept his voice firm.
“I’m not picking fights.” Trickee huffed, his good mood gone in an instant. He glanced back in the direction they had left and glared.
“Oh yes you’re nasty look you were sending those four totally convinces me that.” Hype rolled his eyes. “Tricks…”
“They need to know they don't deserve him…” Trickee muttered softly, anger and venom in his voice.
“He’s right.” Ablaze was quick to defend. Hype looked to the troll as he crossed his arms and nodded, small frown on his face.
“What happened to playing it cool when we first met them? Didn’t we agree that we would give them a chance?” Hype asked slowly.
“It was easier then, it was the first time Branch asked us to sing with him on stage.” Trickee said. “I was more happy then but…” He glared back at the spot they left again. “I just can’t believe they’re still here. I thought we weren't going to have to ever see them again.”
“Why would you think that? They seemed close and in harmony when we met them.” Hype explained, though a bit clumsily. He hated to admit he had thought the same as Trickee did too, at least a bit.
“Harmony sure, but they’re also the ones who ditched a baby and didn't contact him for over twenty years.” Ablaze said gruffly.
“I mean…” Boom spoke up finally. Hype turned to see him looking confused and uncertain. “Roots said he didn't really know why or if they did at the time. Maybe they did?”
“If they did then why weren't they in his life before?” Trickee demanded with a frown as tail lash. Hype sighed and turned to him fully as Trickee glared to the ground. “They don’t deserve Branch as a brother after what they did to him! It’s not fair!”
Boom lowered his head and frowned softly while Ablaze nodded with a firm frown.
As much as his words were powered by emotion, Hype couldn’t deny that there was some truth to those words. Then again perhaps that was his equal dislike for the four older trolls talking.
Hype glanced at Boom as he suddenly perked nudged him. He motioned to Trickee and wiggled his fingers with a grimace. It was enough for Hype to know what he meant.
“Tricks, is part of this totally justified anger a little bit of jealousy too?” Hype asked slowly. Trickee stiffened and looked away.
“Uh…”
It was no shock about that, Trickee had been born into a small family with only his mother. They all had small families being only kids, but Trickee especially for the longest time had longed for a sibling of his own to be close to. He had found that with them and Branch especially. He had been the first one of the group to meet him and loved him as a baby sibling instantly.
‘He’s not the only one jealous…’ Hype mulled in thought.
It was obvious that the former BroZone members seemed to be jealous of them as much as Trickee was of them. Perhaps even more so…
They had already seemed shocked and while proud, clearly uncomfortable that Branch had started a band of his own. The emotions seemed to have soured as they realized just how close they were to Branch, something they clearly desperately wanted but couldn't have if Branch pulling himself away from his brothers’ touch only to lean into one of their’s anything to go by.
“Trickee just because they’re back in his life doesn't mean that Branch is going to think of you any less as a brother.”
“That’s just it man!” Trickee dropped his arms and stared at him. His eyes were shining in distress and tears. “It’s because of them we couldn't even call him our brother for years! We only started doing it now because they showed back up and he seems cool with them and it’s just…” He shook his head and stomped his paw. “It’s not fair!”
“I get it…” Hype reached out and patted his arm. “I know it isn't fair but it’s Branch’s choice if he wants them back in his life or not. No matter how much we don't like them we have to let Branch do what he wants. Especially if they help make him happy.”
“What if they leave again?” Ablaze asked warily behind him. “That would make him feel worse, maybe even as horrible as he did when he was a baby.”
Hype froze as a memory of a heartbroken trolling crying his eyes out in his siblings old room flashed in his mind. Them rushing over and pulling him up as he clutched the larger leaf vest around him like it was a blanket. Them all pulling him into a group hug, most of them crying themselves except him and Ablaze. Them being the oldest in the group trying to keep strong no matter how much it hurt to see the youngest so utterly distraught. That strength broke as he lifted his head and looked at them all with wide, watery eyes and dulling fur.
“My brothers don’t love me anymore!”
Those words and his wail were enough to make their tears fall and them just hug Branch as much as they could. They had fallen asleep like that, and their parents when they had come to pick them up seeing the sight had allowed them to stay for a week with the trolling to help him in his time of need.
It was something he never wanted to see or experience again for Branch’s sake…
“… Maybe we can make sure what they’re after.” Hype spoke up after a few moments. He lifted his head to find the rest of his friends had come to his side looking at him worriedly. At his words however they perked.
“Really?” Boom asked slowly. “How?”
“Just pull them away somewhere and talk, and I mean actually talk. If we don’t think that they’re being serious then we can figure out what to do about it for Branch.” Hype explained after giving his warning.
Trickee and Ablaze both smiled, eager with his idea and it was enough to make Hype sigh in relief.
“Before we do that though, I want to talk to Branch myself and see what we’re dealing with. That sound like a deal?” They couldnt just go into this totally blind. If he knew what Branch was feeling then it would really help open his eyes as to whether or not this whole thing was a good idea.
“Okay, I’m cool with that.” Ablaze nodded approvingly as Trickee swished his tail.
“Yeah I guess…”
Boom gently patted the goggle wearing troll’s arm as he looked slightly dismayed. Hype gave them all a wary smile.
Maybe this could put them all at ease… Though something told him that things between KISMET and the four BroZone members were going to be worse before they'd ever be better…
“I’m back!”
“He’s back!” Boom shouted back in response to the youngest’s call. They turned to see him jogging over, rolling his eyes at Boom’s comment and stop in front of them with a chuckle.
“Yes, Boom I’m back. I just said it.” He shook his head and looked to them all with a smile that was bright and merry. It warmed Hype’s heart. The last they had seen him he looked like he had been dealing with so much emotional turmoil. It was good to know that it wasn't the case.
“So how were you two love bugs?” Ablaze asked coyly once Branch made it to them. Their brother lightly slapped his arm with a snort.
“Just fine, and Poppy was ecstatic to hear you guys are here.”
“Then where is she?” Boom asked curiously. Branch sighed and looked back, a fond smile on his face.
“Well, she is Queen. She wanted to come here and meet you guys officially but she’s taking care of some problems right now.” He paused before looking back at them with a timid smile.
“Hey uh… I know you guys came to visit me and we don’t do this often but…” He moved his paws behind him and shifted on his paws. “Would you guys like to do a special concert tonight?”
Hype shared a knowing smile with the rest of their brothers.
“Do you mean for your girlfriend~?” Trickee asked in a playful tease and nudge. Branch snorted and lightly smacked him away.
“Yes, for my girlfriend…” Branch answered in a mocking tone, scrunching his nose and pouting before a smirk took its place. “I’m not hearing a no?”
“That’s because we’re totally in!” Hype laughed with the rest.
“Yeah let’s sing another song together!” Trickee cheered as Boom’s tail wagged in joy.
“KISMET back together again!” Ablaze whooped, throwing out his hair and yanking them to him so he could give them all a group hug. They all laughed brightly, even Branch albeit a bit more awkwardly. He was still getting used to them and their touch again, but Hype was thankful he was willing to take their affectionate gestures for them.
As Ablaze finally let them go Branch was quick to step a little away and dust himself off. As he tried to calm from the sudden affection Hype looked to the rest of his brothers and gave a nod. They nodded back in union.
“If we’re gonna do a concert we better pick the best place for it.” Trickee said casually. “How about we go find a good spot?”
“Oh sure there’s plenty of…” Branch’s offer was cut off as Hype stepped closer to him.
“Actually Branch can I talk to you for a bit?”
Branch blinked, glancing at the others before slowly nodding. “Uh, yeah sure!”
“Cool, we’ll meet up with you two in a while.” Ablaze nodded, motioning for the rest of their band to follow him. Trickee did it with ease, only stepping back to grab Boom’s arm and drag him along.
“H-hey! I wanted to talk to Branch too!”
“You can later Boomster, now c’mon!” Trickee said with a grunt of effort. Once they were out of sight Hype turned back to the youngest in their family and gave him a kind smile. Branch timidly gave him one back.
“What’s up?” Branch asked gently.
“Nothing much, just wanted to check on you and see how you’ve been. We haven’t heard from you in a bit and it looks like your life’s been changing fast.”
“Yeah I’m sorry about that…” Branch rubbed the back of his neck with a weak chuckle. “I got started but so much keeps happening and I…” Hype waved a paw and chuckled.
“No worries Roots. I can already see what was holding you up.” Hype paused. Now was the moment to really dig into what was going on…
“So… how have things been going for you and your brothers Branch?” Hype questioned gently. “For real…?”
Branch’s small smile dimmed as he looked to the ground with a small frown. “For real… Ha…” Branch sighed weakly. “Most of the time it’s been going great, but sometimes it feels like two steps forward one step back… At least on my end.” Branch crossed and rubbed his arms.
“Like I love my brothers. I do and I did miss them. I’m thankful they’re here now. It’s just… hard for me sometimes.”
“That’s understandable…” Hype nodded. He didn’t push, allowing his brother to take a moment to gather his thoughts. The duller troll took a breath before continuing.
“Sometimes it’s great you know? Like I feel like I’m a part of the family. They include me and they seem to really be trying.” Hype smiled.
“That’s great!” His smile dimmed as Branch’s ears drooped. “But…?”
“Yeah, but…” Branch sighed. “Then there are days where my brain just seems to just go against me and remind me that we hadn’t been a family for over twenty years. Like why and how they were willing to give it all up again so easily it just…”
“Puts you on edge…” Hype filled in the blank. Branch slowly nodded and Hype sighed. “Honestly Branch from what you’ve told us before, you being on edge about them is totally normal.”
“Is it?” Branch asked with an empty laugh. “Because they seem to get along great with each other without any problems, and they were at each others throats all the time in the day.”
“Branch…” Hype reached out and gently took his shoulders. The duller troll stiffened at the contact but Hype merely tightened his hold to let him know he wasn't going to let him go, nor let him down.
“Your brothers left you in a way that hurt you deeply. It happened when you were just a baby, and sometimes those kind of hurts take a long time to mend and heal. You and your brothers sound like you’re on the right track, but you feeling wary around them sometimes is also natural.” He paused. “Have you told your brothers about any of this?”
“No?” Branch huffed a laugh and quirked a brow. “Are you kidding? If I told them then what would happen?” Branch’s paws moved to his face and rubbed it roughly. His voice fell into a fit of pained murmurs and groans of despair, a familiar sight from when he was younger.
“Ah…” Hype smiled weakly. “So basically your brain’s spiraling…”
“Yeah…” Branch stopped and looked at him sadly. “I just don't want to mess up and they decide that I'm just not worth it…” He paused and lowered his eyes to the ground. “I don’t want them to leave me again…”
Hype’s chest squeezed in sadness for his brother. He had hoped that things had mended between him and his estranged brothers but from what it sounded like it wasn't the case. It made the next question he needed to ask feel so much more heavy.
“Do they know about…?” He trailed off, knowing he didn't even need to say it.
“I already told them.” Hype’s eyes widened, he didn't even need to ask to know what he meant.
“Really? H-how’d they take it?” Branch grimaced and looked away.
“Not well…” He admitted softly. “They… felt pretty horrible about it honestly…”
‘Good…’ The spiteful thought came before he could even stop it. It was hard not to, he had felt horrible and angry all the same when he had learned how Branch had been alone and felt so unwanted. A part of him blamed himself for not being able to go back and be there for Branch when their family had fled. Another, more petty part, blamed the younger trolls brothers.
They had been the first to leave and cause Branch to feel so scared of letting others close. They had been the ones to cause the scars that still haunted Branch to this day if how he was acting right now had any say in it.
“They’re trying now.” Branch’s murmur pulled him back to seeing him look back at him with a small smile. “I mean I guess they were trying before, but I can see it.”
“That’s… great Roots…” Hype smiled and nodded.
“Yeah…” Branch paused before he chuckled wryly. “Somehow you can still get me to open up and blab what I feel even now.”
Hype’s smile widened as he chuckled back. “What can I say? I still got it little brother…” He reached out and gently squeezed his paw.
As Branch chuckled Hype allowed himself to enjoy their moment together. The stress of the situation could wait, for now he’d enjoy being around his brother.