A dash of chaos, a pinch of order
"Are you eating the batter?" Branch asked, staring at his eldest brother.
"Well, it does taste good," John Dory replied. "Who knew you could cook?"
Branch rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to the recipe, unaware that his tongue was sticking out.
"So," Clay began, smirking. "Who are these for?"
Bruce chuckled. "Is that even a question?"
"Poppy," the four brothers said in unison, shaking their heads in amusement.
"Guys, cut him some slack, she's his girlfriend," Floyd said, defending his little brother.
"Thank you, Floyd!" Branch exclaimed, then added with a sly grin, "My favorite brother."
The elders' eyes widened.
"Excuse me?"
"Your favorite?"
"I thought you didn't have favorites!"
"Done," Branch finally looked up from the bowl he was stirring. A proud smile danced across his face, ignoring the commotion going on behind him.
"Wow, bitty b," Bruce said, feigning hurt. "That was really harsh…"
Floyd's smirk widened as he helped Branch pour the batter into the cupcake tray, exaggerating his delight.
"Wow, my now fully grown-up brother, Poppy will surely love those," he teased.
The youngest couldn't help but chuckle, joining in with his older brother, saying, "Thank you so much, my favorite brother, I don't know what I would do without your support."
John Dory, Bruce, and Clay raised an eyebrow, stiffing their smiles. "Are you two done?" Clay asked.
"Yup, we just wait for them to bake," Branch replied, reaching for the whipped cream. "Do NOT open the oven!" he warned, not even looking up from his new task.
"Oh, please, when did you become a master chef?" John Dory asked, slightly annoyed.
"Overnight," Branch replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "I went to bed as the grumpy, sarcastic troll and woke up as Gordon Ramsey, it's a miracle."
Bruce stared at him. "Last time I saw you, you were just a cute, adorable baby, where did all that sarcasm come from?"
"The sarcasm fairy-"
"I say we stop, because apparently, he has a reply to everything," Clay interjected.
The group burst into laughter, unable to contain it any longer. It wasn't everyday they got to laugh like this, and it was so refreshing for them to have a moment of peace together, forgetting about the world outside. However, amidst the laughter that filled the place, Clay's cheeks flushed slightly, and he quietly walked over to Branch, clearing his throat to catch his attention.
"Hey, uh…" he stammered. "When everyone goes to sleep…can you help me make some? But don't tell anyone, okay?"
Branch smiled genuinely at him. "Sure, but for who?" his voice trailed off, realization hitting him. "Oh…ohhhh,"
Clay's eyes widened when he saw his brother take a deep breath then turn to the others, and he quickly covered Branch's mouth, knowing what's coming next.
"Alright, what do you want?"
Branch wiped his mouth, gagging, then whispered, "Do the dishes for a week."
"A whole week? No way, man."
"Okay, then, let's see who's gonna help you."
Clay surrendered. "Fine, you win."
"Awww, you two are getting along, what are you saying?" Floyd said suddenly, earning a yelp from Clay and Branch.
"Nothing," they said in unison.
"Hey, baby Branch, don't you think that's enough for the cupcakes?" Bruce asked, staring at the oven
Branch glanced at the clock, then shrugged. "Yeah, Bruce, can you please turn off the oven-What are you doing?!"
Branch rushed forward, preventing his brothers from opening the oven and ruining his culinary masterpiece. He sighed in relief as he raised to his feet, then turned to John Dory and Bruce with a disapproving look.
"You shouldn't open the oven right away or the cupcakes will…i don't you, you just can't take them out," Branch said sternly.
Floyd chuckled. "And why's that, Gordon Ramsay?"
"Poppy leaves them in the oven after it's turned off for a while before taking them out," Branch replied, checking the time again. "But maybe that's enough…"
In a heartbeat, the brothers raced to the oven, taking out the cupcake tray and hovering over it.
"Wow, they've gotten bigger," John Dory and Bruce grinned, each reaching for the treat.
Branch rolled his eyes and sighed, realizing that it was no use telling his brothers to leave the tray alone, so instead, he tried a new approach. He cleared his throat, setting the whipped cream bowl aside.
"So, uh…wanna help me decorate them?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty.
The elders' heads snapped up, their eyes wide with surprise. It's not like Branch hated them, they just had problems, and they're sorting it out. But out of all of them, Branch seemed to be the one with the most issues, so him offering them to anticipate in his cooking mess was a noticeable step.
"Is that a question?" John Dory smirked, getting the cupcakes out of the tray and carefully setting them on the table.
Clay leaned against the wall. "But what do we get in return?"
"Well, working together and having fun is enough, isn't it?" Floyd replied with a genuine smile.
"Nah, we wanna taste, bitty b," Bruce corrected playfully, earning a look from Floyd.
"Alright, alright," the youngest troll, now covered in flour and batter, surrendered. "Guess you can't resist my incredible baking skills."
"Oh, shut it," Clay teased, then walked over to him again.
"You're gonna help me, right?"
"You did promise to do the dishes."
"And what if I don't do them?" Clay dared.
His brother smirked. "Then I'll gladly shout out your adorable little secret."
The yellow-haired troll blushed. "I don't like Viva!"
"I didn't say her name," Branch said triumphantly.
"Darn it, when did you become like this?"
Branch opened his mouth to respond, but Clay stopped him.
"Yeah, Mr. Sarcastic, we get it, now let's go decorate those cupcakes, we have a girl to impress!"
Brozone cheered, each taking turns in putting a certain topping on the sweet gift. Chuckles, giggles, and whipped cream filled the place as the brothers worked together, reminiscing about old memories.