Branch was up earlier than his brothers, and he immediately set to work making breakfast. He figured pancakes would be nice. Poppy always liked his pancakes. He added cinnamon and stirred the batter, his movements sure. Then he noticed his hand. His skin was much too grey. They would notice.

"Ah, marshmallows," he muttered, and he quickly made a pot of bowrain tea. He tossed back a cup while the pancakes were frying, and the effect was instantaneous.

The dully sweet reverse rainbow settled in his stomach, and a flash of bright color passed over his body. For a moment, his skin was as bright a cyan as when he was a baby, and his hair was a rich purple. Then he settled closer to his normal color. Peering at his hands, he nodded. That was better. He wouldn't have to hide much longer. After breakfast, he would go into Pop Village and get Floyd, and then they could finally talk. He headed over and poured the batter into the pan. Ten minutes later, a door opened and there were footsteps.

"I still can't believe you can cook, bro," John Dory said from behind him as he pulled the first pancakes out of the pan.

Branch didn't even look at his brother. "Yeah? Well I had to learn, JD. Who was supposed to cook for me? Dead Trolls can't cook."

Silence. Branch heard John Dory walk over to sit down, and then they didn't say anything. Neither one of them knew how to start.

Clay joined them next, yawning. "What's for breakfast?"

"Cinnamon pancakes," Branch replied. "They're some of the best. Poppy says they give her serious energy."

Clay was pleased. "That sounds perfect, Branch," he said, his voice soft.

"Do we want icing or syrup?" Branch asked.

Clay thought about it for a moment. "Syrup. Icing is for other less serious things."

Branch nodded. "I've got stalkroot and glitterberry. But if you give me an hour, I can dig out some other kinds. Those are on level four…"

There was a long pause then John Dory spoke. "How many levels are there?"

"Twelve," he said automatically. "The first eleven are storage."

"What's in storage?" Clay asked.

"Anything and everything you can think of that a Troll could need," Branch said softly. "So… stalkroot or glitterberry?"

"Stalkroot would be good, yeah?" John Dory suggested.

"Glitterberry," Clay said immediately.

Branch finally turned to look at his brothers. John Dory looked sad and tired, staring at Clay, who was pointedly ignoring his older brother. Branch pressed his lips together then turned around.

"That sounds so much fun, Clay," Branch said.

"Fun?" Clay asked, sounding alarmed.

"Yeah. The flavors are like a party in your mouth."

"Then… I think stalkroot would be better. I mean, it's what I really wanted. Cuz that one's more serious, right?"

"Totally," Branch said.

John Dory squinted at him, and Branch smiled a little, catching his expression as it softened. There was the sound of a door shutting, and Bruce limped in.

"Does anybody else just hurt?" he asked.

"Yeah," John Dory said. "My back is killing me."

"What about you?" Bruce asked, not acknowledging that his older brother had spoken. Branch turned to see John Dory wilt.

Clay stretched. "Bro, I hurt all over. Getting older sucks."

Branch poured the rest of the first pot of bowrain tea into three cups then gestured for John Dory to come over, and he watched him stand with a grimace.

"What's up?" John Dory asked.

"Here. Try this," Branch said, pushing over a cup.

"What is it?" John Dory asked.

"Aw, what's the matter? Don't trust me?" Branch asked, a smile twitching his lips.

"Medicine, eh?" John Dory asked.

Branch shrugged. "It shouldn't be too bad. It's not cookies and cream cakes, but it's not singe-root."

"You've eaten singe-root?" John Dory asked, making a face.

"Yeah. There's some in the tea. But it's not bad, I promise. Try it, JJ."

John Dory's eyes went soft at the nickname. Only Branch had ever gotten away with calling him that. John Dory took a deep breath then picked up the cup and sipped the dull rainbow tea. He yelped and a burst of color passed over his skin.

"Wow!" he gasped. "What is this? I feel great!"

That certainly got Clay and Bruce's attention, and they turned to gaze at John Dory, who now had a healthy glow about him. Bruce got up and padded over to peer suspiciously into the cups.

"What's it taste like?" he asked warily.

John Dory took another sip and thought about it. "I can't describe it. It's not unsweet, but it's not sweet either."

"It should help with the aches," Branch said. "And you can wash it down with pancakes. They're done."

"Plate 'em up, dude!" Clay crowed.

Branch shrugged then expertly flipped the cakes through the air into perfect piles on the plates he'd set out for them. They looked absolutely delighted by that unexpected trick.

"Impressive, bro," Clay said. He sniffed the drink and glanced at Bruce, who toasted him then drained the cup in one swallow. Clay followed a moment later. For a moment they stood there, waiting for a foul taste, but none came. Their eyes opened and they grinned as a burst of color went through them.

"Whoa! You're right, JD!" Clay exclaimed. He stretched. "I feel great now!"

"I need this recipe," Bruce said fervently. "It will make roughhousing with the boys so much easier."

"Sure. I'll write it down for you," Branch said. He reached up to a shelf and pulled out stalkroot syrup in a crystal jar and set it in front of them. "Okay. Let's eat. Then I want to check on Floyd. He'll need quiet to recover, and the village isn't quiet."

John Dory looked very happy with the stalkroot syrup. Branch knew it was his favorite, which was why he'd gotten it down. Glitterberry was Poppy's favorite, so that was his default, but seeing the joy in his brother's eyes as they ate something he wanted for a change was worth the twenty minutes he'd spent shifting supplies before he'd found it.

John Dory had given up many things when their parents had died, and Branch was determined to give him a few things in thanks. He knew what he said about them not needing to be perfect to sing in harmony was true, but they were out of tune in every other way. They needed to work things out before they went back to their own lives, but they also needed to take it one step at a time. Giving John Dory something he wanted was a small step toward forgiving his oldest brother. Branch would hold out the olive branch first. He just hoped they wouldn't leave him hanging.

After a tensely silent breakfast, Branch padded over to peer at his calendar then grabbed a leaf and made several notes. "You guys coming into town with me?"

"Nah, I'm good," Clay said. "I want to catch up with Bruce."

"I think I'll go," John Dory said. He followed Branch to the elevator and stopped beside him. Branch pulled the lever and up they went. As soon as they were out of sight, John Dory wilted and rubbed his temples.

"Do you regret coming back?" Branch asked quietly as they settled onto the top floor.

"I want to say no, Branch," John Dory said, his voice quivering.

"I know." Branch slid the hatch open and climbed up the ladder. Then he held out his hand once his brother was at the top. "But you're not alone this time."

John Dory looked ready to cry for a moment as he stared up at the baby brother he'd left behind. Then he swallowed and took Branch's hand. When he was on his feet, John Dory squeezed Branch into a hug.

"Hey, it's not hug time," Branch teased, but he wrapped his arms around his brother and sighed with satisfaction. "I missed you, JD. I really have."

"I've missed you, too," John Dory murmured. He pulled back to gaze at his little brother. "Are you okay, Branch?"

"For now," Branch answered honestly. "It fluctuates. Now let's go get Floyd. I want to show him the hideout. It's been ready for years."

"You really built all of that?" John Dory asked, jerking his thumb over his shoulder as they left the bunker behind them.

"Yep."

"By yourself?"

"Yeah…" Branch wilted a little, glancing at John Dory. "I, uh, I didn't have many friends once Grandma got eaten. I managed to find a group after you guys left, but once I…"

"You?" John Dory pressed.

Branch sighed. "I was going to wait to talk about it with Floyd, so you were going to find out anyway. I guess you can help me tell the others. Just… don't freak out. I guess you've noticed my… colors?"

John Dory stiffened. "Yeah. Yeah I have. Your hair is more obvious, but… it's noticeable."

"Yeah, well, it's my fault Grandma died. And after she did, I turned grey."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, what?" John Dory asked, stopping.

Branch kept walking, wanting to get it out. "Yeah, well, I had nobody left. So I never gained my color back. I'm actually brighter than I was for years. I think it was twenty years before my color came back. There are side effects. Permanent damage."

"Branch!" John Dory exclaimed, catching his hand. "Wait, go back. Your fault? What do you mean your fault?"

Branch curled into himself. It was going to come out. He'd known he'd have to tell them why she was gone. He couldn't bear to see his brother's expression though. "I told you I found a group? Well, I was singing a song for practice and a Bergen was nearby. I didn't hear it until it was too late. Grandma… she saved me."

"And how is any of this your fault?" John Dory asked.

Branch looked up, surprised. "I caused her to get eaten. I killed Grandma."

"Oh. Oh, Branch, no." John Dory embraced him and held him tight. "No, Branch, it wasn't your fault. Trolls were snatched all the time throughout the year. If it hadn't been her, it would have been you. And she would never have forgiven herself for losing you."

"I wouldn't have blamed her," Branch said thickly, scrubbing at his eyes.

"And she wouldn't blame you."

Branch couldn't stop the tears, and he began to cry. He'd needed to hear those words for over twenty years, and to hear them from John Dory finally made them real. Branch could feel the claws of guilt loosen in his heart. He still had to talk to Bruce, Clay, and Floyd, but he knew his oldest brother didn't blame him for what had happened. Just like when he was little and upset, John Dory held him, patting his back and humming a lullaby to him. Finally the tears abated, and he turned away, sniffling.

"Let's—" Branch's voice cracked and he cleared his throat. "Let's go get Floyd," he said.

John Dory placed a hand on his shoulder and kept pace with him as they strolled toward town.

"Will you help me explain to Clay and Bruce and Floyd?" Branch asked.

"They won't blame you, bro," John Dory said. "But I'm here for you. Need anything? Just ask."

Branch's bracelet dinged, and he turned and tackled his brother. "Hug time!"

"Hey! Branch!" John Dory laughed. They staggered and hit the rich green sward beneath their feet.

"What? I needed another hug," Branch said, sitting back and pouting at John Dory. His brother burst out laughing.

"Well when you ask so nicely…"

He tackled Branch and tried to pin him, but Branch was no longer a baby. He was also in peak physical form due to his busy life and survivalist tendencies. So within seconds, Branch had his older brother pinned.

"Mercy!" John Dory shouted before Branch could do anything mischievous.

Branch chuckled and sat up. "Not so easy now, is it?"

"Where did my baby brother go?" John Dory marveled. "You're a real man now, Branch."

Pride made Branch like he was about to explode, and he felt a surge of happiness burst through him. Instantly, his colors brightened, and he grinned like a fool at John Dory as he rode through the unexpected wave of emotion. John Dory reached out to steady him as he swayed.

"Whoa," he breathed. His brows creased with concern. "You okay?"

"Yeah," Branch said, swiping at the tears of joy that spilled down his cheeks. "Just… just happy. Really happy. It's a lot for me, physically speaking. My happiness baseline is way lower than the average Pop Troll."

"We'll take it slow. Just calm yourself down," John Dory coaxed. He placed his arm over Branch's shoulder, and Branch leaned into him as they walked toward town.

"I love you, JD," he murmured.

"I love you, too, Branch. And I'm glad I came back."