Branch knocked briskly on John Dory's door, throwing a look over at Clay, who finally managed to stop grinning. John Dory opened the door and blinked at them.
"What's going on?" he asked groggily.
"Poppy needs me in town today. I figured you could hang out with Floyd while Bruce and Clay help me."
John Dory hesitated. "You want me to hang out with you?" he asked Floyd, and Clay and Bruce suddenly found it much easier to not smile. There was the hesitation Branch had mentioned. The John Dory they knew jumped headfirst into anything. But that was twenty years ago, before he'd given up. They became more determined than ever to do this right.
"So…?" Branch prompted, tapping his fingers.
"Sure, if Floyd doesn't mind. Give me a minute," John Dory muttered.
"I don't mind," Floyd replied.
"Come on," Bruce said, pretending to be impatient.
John Dory shut his door and they waited a few minutes. He came out dressed, though he still looked tired. "Okay. Let's go."
Bruce wrapped an arm around John Dory's neck and messed up his hair. "You really should brush your hair when you get up."
"Hey!" John Dory yelped. He shoved Bruce away and fixed his hair. "I did brush my hair! Don't ruin it! I have a look going."
Bruce laughed and bumped him. Branch tapped the calendar. "Can't believe it's today," he muttered. "Well, let's go."
John Dory turned to the calendar and his expression tightened for the briefest of moments before it smoothed out again. "Big day?" he asked.
"Yes, and Poppy is happy to do it," Branch said. "But it's exhausting that it'll last all day."
John Dory nodded. "Can you handle my company for that long, Floyd?" he asked.
Bruce and Clay glanced at each other. Not even one word about his birthday? That wasn't John Dory. Floyd wrapped an arm around John Dory's shoulders.
"I'll be honest. I'm probably going to be boring. But I want some fresh air. Do you mind?"
"Any time spent with you guys is worth it," John Dory assured him.
When they got to the surface, Branch led the way into town. The five brothers couldn't help but test their new dynamic as they jostled and teased, but as they did, they found it wasn't too different, except for Branch. His being grown up made all the difference. By the time they got to town, old jokes and playful rivalries had already begun to come back.
John Dory noticed the quiet first, and he stopped, his nerves on alert. "Branch? What did you say you were here for?"
Branch turned and looked around then smiled at John Dory. "Poppy planned something. It's rather last minute."
"What is?" John Dory demanded.
"Your surprise party!" Poppy screamed, popping out from behind some flora.
John Dory's ears rang for a moment then there was a great shout as Pop Trolls burst out of hiding. "Happy birthday!"
John Dory didn't have any words as Poppy laughed and ran over to hug him. "Happy birthday, JD! This was so last minute, so sorry if it's not as big a party as you'd like. We didn't have time to invite the other Trolls. Oh! But Prince D is here!"
"Fine. Party's fine," John Dory said faintly, glancing around.
"Whoa. Too much surprise in the party, I think," Branch said, his eyes shining. "Come here and sit down, JD. You can take a breath and then we'll party."
John Dory lowered himself onto a small mushroom, looking around as music began. Poppy smiled as two Funk Trolls came over. Branch perked.
"Ah, there you are. Thought you'd like to meet my brothers, Cooper."
"I can't believe you never mentioned you have four brothers," Cooper replied, grinning.
"And I hear you all were in a band?" Darnell asked.
"A boy band!" Poppy squealed. "Isn't that so exciting? BroZone was always my favorite, and now I'm dating Bitty B!"
Branch looked embarrassed, but Cooper and Darnell each wrapped an arm around him. "Pretty cool, B-man," Darnell said. "Now introductions have got to be in order, right?"
"In order of age, this is John Dory, and it's his thirty-seventh birthday today."
"Thanks for sharing that tidbit," John Dory grumbled, but he shook Cooper's hand. "I thought you were a Pop Troll."
"Oh, I am," Cooper said seriously. "But my twin here is Funk. With some sweet hip hop, but his core is Funk."
"Cooper's not a Funk Troll, but he's certainly funkalicious when he wants to be," Darnell said.
"And you can be pretty poppin'," Cooper countered.
They both chuckled them turned to face the others. Branch quickly introduced Bruce, Clay, and Floyd. Cooper was very pleased to meet them, and he and Darnell quickly dragged Clay and Bruce onto the dance floor. Floyd sat down beside John Dory, who was still looking around as if confused.
"Happy birthday," Branch said, taking his hand.
John Dory squeezed it then reached up to wipe at his eyes. Poppy snagged his wrist. "Birthday cake time!" she sang, and yanked him toward the cake.
Branch sat down beside Floyd and sighed with relief. "If anybody asks, you don't want to be left alone."
"I don't want to be left alone," Floyd replied. "But I don't want you to miss the party."
"I'm still recovering from our adventure, Floyd," Branch said. "A party is the last thing I want." He paused and stared at a very happy John Dory as he tried his cake. "It's worth it though. We'll be back home by this evening and we can wind down and just talk."
"Evening is so far away," Floyd sighed.
"We'll make it. Take a deep breath. And I'll get you some cake."
John Dory, Bruce, Clay, and Floyd hadn't been to a Troll party thrown by Poppy before, and the energy was electric. The older brothers danced and talked and had a blast while Floyd and Branch enjoyed the party with more quiet activities. Floyd found Cooper and Darnell to be pleasant company, and he noticed that Cooper was more than willing to slow down for Branch. Every once in a while, he'd return with Darnell to sit and chat with them, taking half an hour to wind down before dashing off again. Floyd and Branch did manage to dance to a couple songs, but it tired Floyd out so much that he had to sit down again very soon. Branch didn't mind sitting with him, and they spent the day talking together like they used to.
By the time the sun began to set, Floyd was more than ready to get back to the quiet of Branch's bunker. Branch found Poppy and told her that they needed to get back and asked her to let the other three know. Poppy agreed, and Branch pulled her into a kiss that took her breath away.
"Night, Poppy. And thanks for doing this."
"You asked so nicely, how could I say no?" Poppy asked, blushing.
They kissed again then Branch led Floyd back home while Poppy went back to the party.
Floyd took a deep breath as the bass died away behind them. Branch slung an arm around Floyd's shoulders. "I think JD had fun."
"I think so, too," Floyd agreed. "He looked like his old self for a while there."
"He didn't expect us to remember. We didn't for the two years after Mom and Dad died," Branch said softly.
"He tried to act like he didn't care when he noticed what day it was," Floyd said, recalling the tightening of his brother's expression as his eyes landed on the date.
"I noticed," Branch said. "I bet he doesn't even usually celebrate anymore."
Floyd frowned as they got to the hideout. "Would he sink that low?"
"Has he mentioned any friends?" Branch asked, meeting Floyd's eyes. "No. No, I don't think he celebrates his birthday anymore. He wasn't trying not to care that it was his birthday. I think he genuinely doesn't care that it's his birthday. I think he was trying not to care that we forgot again. He wants us to care for him, and he feels like we don't."
"But we do!" Floyd exclaimed.
"Yep. And now we've got to prove it. Come on. I'll make a good dinner for when they come back. You can help if you have the energy."
They headed down into the bunker, and after making some bowrain tea and resting for a while, they started dinner. They didn't hurry, teasing each other as they worked together. Branch's cooking skills were impressive, and he had a flair for showmanship. Floyd couldn't help but be impressed.
"How did you learn how to do all that?" Floyd asked.
"I found ways to entertain myself," Branch said. He winked and tossed the eggs high into the air only to neatly catch them in the skillet behind his back.
"Showoff," Floyd muttered, but he couldn't stop smiling.
There was a click and the elevator began heading upward. Floyd glanced over, and Branch sighed.
"Party's over then. Remember, Floyd, this isn't going to be any easier for JD than it was for you."
"I know," Floyd said. "Now let's quit messing around. I'm sure they all want some good food."
Branch and Floyd could hear them laughing as they came down, and when they finally came into view, it was clear that it had been quite the party. There was glitter everywhere, and Branch frowned.
"Yo!" he boomed.
They all stopped laughing and looked surprised.
"What's up?" Clay asked.
"You all are going to rinse off then mop up the glitter. Then we'll eat. I will not have a repeat of the glitter bomb!"
"Glitter bomb?" Bruce asked.
"Shower. Mop. Food. Then talk," Branch insisted firmly.
They obediently filed into their rooms to shower. Clay was out first, followed by Bruce a couple minutes later.
"Success?" Branch asked.
"Definitely," Bruce said, grinning. He touched his lower back and grimaced. "Bowrain tea?" he asked hopefully.
"I'll make some," Clay said. "Bruce, start on that glitter. You two finish making dinner. That looks amazing."
John Dory came out just after they'd finished mopping up. He stopped to stare at his brothers. Floyd sat on the counter, clearly tired but also clearly happy. Clay was pouring five cups of tea, and he was completely relaxed and serious for the moment. It suited him. Bruce leaned on the counter as he chatted with Branch, who was just plating dinner.
"Hungry for something not made of sugar?" Branch asked, smiling at him. "We've got a scramble, toast, and fruit."
"That sounds great," John Dory said.
Branch took two plates and carried one to John Dory as everybody else headed into the living room. John Dory settled on the couch between Branch and Floyd and took a bite.
"Rosemary in the scramble?" John Dory asked through a mouthful.
"Yep," Branch replied.
"You really did study under a chef, didn't you?" Clay asked, taking a bite.
"For a year," John Dory said.
"What else did you do?" Bruce asked.
"What?" John Dory glanced at him.
"Well, there's at least nineteen years that you haven't told us about," Floyd said. "We're curious. Bruce started a family. Branch was here. Clay was surviving because he thought he had to. I traveled, too, but without much adventure until Velvet and Veneer. What about you? What did you do?"
"Nothing much," John Dory said evasively. "Hey Branch, you still haven't told us about the rest of the Rock Apocalypse. I still can't believe they missed that concert."
Branch chewed on his food. "Where did I leave off?"
"Getting abducted by the Funk Trolls," Clay said at once.
"Oh right. Well, Poppy shared her idea that all the Trolls should live in harmony because they aren't that different, and King Quincey and Queen Essence quickly told us the real history. Turns out Pop Trolls tried to take over all music, so the fact that Poppy, a Pop Troll, was suggesting this deeply offended them. They were gentle though, I'm pretty sure for Cooper's sake, and gave her advice. Which she then proceeded to ignore."
"Good grief, I can tell she's related to Viva," Clay laughed.
"Oh, wonderful," Branch said. "Two Poppys. I forgot."
Clay laughed again. "Keep talking."
"Okay." Branch sipped his tea. "The Funk Trolls were attacked by Barb, and Cooper stayed to fight but sent us away in bubbles. Hickory got separated from us, and then me and Poppy got into a fight. She wouldn't listen when I insisted she needed to listen to others, so I left."
Branch set aside his empty plate and looked thoughtful. "On Poppy's side of things, Hickory found her, and she stupidly revealed that she had the Pop string. And that's when the marshmallows hit the fan. Turned out Hickory was not a Country Troll. He was, in fact, two Trolls. It was the Yodelers."
"No!" John Dory gasped. "You were being bounty-hunted, weren't you? Chaz and now the Yodelers?"
"Barb made a promise that whoever brought her Poppy and the Pop string could keep their music," Branch explained. "And because Poppy trusted Hickory and didn't listen, she was captured with the string."
"What about you?" Floyd asked.
"K-Pop and Reggaeton," Branch said casually.
Once again, John Dory immediately knew what he was talking about, and he burst out laughing as the others looked confused.
"She really got the best bounty hunters around!" John Dory exclaimed. "I've never met the Reggaeton, but K-Pop is terrifying."
"Is that that weird other language music?" Clay asked. "I liked it."
"The music is nice and catchy. Unfortunately, the bounty hunters are, too," John Dory said. "The K-Pop gang are bounty hunters. So are the Reggaeton gang. He was captured, no doubt."
"Twice. Once by both. They fought over me," Branch said.
"Don't ever join their dances. That's how they get you when you're a Troll."
"Yeah. It's effective," Branch replied, grinning. "How do you know them?"
"Mm, I met the K-Pop gang about six years ago, I think," John Dory said. He squinted. "Was that the time I was running from the cops in Tanker City…?" He sipped his tea. "No, that was the year before. That time they thought I owed somebody money. When they brought me in and found out I'd already payed up, they were very disappointed they weren't getting the bounty. Bought me dinner to apologize. I gave them something for their trouble."
Silence. John Dory looked up to see his brothers looking very curious, and he shifted uneasily. "What?"
"You owed somebody money?" Bruce asked.
"I took out a loan from somebody, and let's just say there was a miscommunication," John Dory mumbled. "I got it straightened out before they found me…"
He sounded as if he were being scolded, and Branch studied him. "Yeah, and lucky you did because they are good at what they do."
John Dory visibly relaxed. "Agreed," he said. "What happened next?"
"I convinced them that Barb didn't have the right to decide what music everybody could have, so they helped me out. We found the balloon, got the manual, and I did a rapid study session and piloted the balloon to the concert. We got there just before Barb turned Poppy into a rock zombie. I took the hit instead, and then…" Branch squinted. "Kinda fuzzy from there until Poppy broke Barb's guitar and destroyed the strings. Then everybody came out of the trance."
Branch stopped and Clay leaned forward. "And then?"
Branch didn't answer, so John Dory did. "Silence, bro," he murmured. "There was nothing but silence and grayness. And we all knew that music was dead."
Clay frowned then gasped. "No! That's what caused that? Man, we thought it was some kind of flu! We all went gray and quiet and then ten minutes later everything was back to normal."
"I remember that, too!" Bruce exclaimed. "I was okay and explaining the menu to a couple, and then I woke up back home and all I could hear was Brandy screaming. She thought I was dead. I was just grateful to be able to hear again. The blackout was just…" He swallowed. "Silence. It was like something in me died."
Floyd licked his lips. "That must have been the first time Veneer was kind to me. I don't know what happened except my soul was silent, but he gave me extra food after that until Velvet caught him."
"How generous," Clay said dryly.
"He was okay sometimes. Velvet was a terror," Floyd said. He squirmed at the thoughts of his two captors and quickly redirected the subject. "How did the music come back?"
"Oh, now that was something to see!" John Dory exclaimed. His entire face lit up and he turned to beam at Branch. "That was the first time I knew Branch was still alive! Poppy started singing, and as soon as he joined her, I knew who it was. Branch and Poppy started a song and the kings and queens all came together and created a song with hints of just about everything in it! It was amazing!"
Branch's cheeks warmed, and he stared shyly at John Dory. "You recognized me, JJ?"
John Dory frowned. "Well of course I did, Branch. You haven't changed that much. And your voice is still amazing. Different, but amazing. I wish the band had stayed together longer. You really should have gotten to share that talent with the world."
Branch nodded. "I'm sorry I broke the band up."
There was a long pause where every eye turned to Branch. He was sitting hunched over, small and ashamed.
"You broke up the band?" John Dory asked, puzzled.
"Yeah. With my lousy performance."
"Oh, no, Bitty. No," John Dory said gently, wrapping an arm around him and holding him close. "I broke up the band. It was my fault. I finally realized I couldn't do it because Bruce and Clay wouldn't work with me. So I kinda went nuclear and just… left."
"Couldn't do what?" Branch prodded gently.
John Dory looked away and swallowed. But he finally answered in a tiny voice. "Make our parents proud."
There was another pause, and now everybody was looking at John Dory. Bruce found his voice first.
"Is that why you pushed so hard for the Perfect Family Harmony?"
John Dory shrugged and wouldn't look at them. "Dad told me about it. He and Mom hoped we'd hit it one day. After Branch was born, Dad got all excited and started going on about us being in a band and using the Perfect Family Harmony to bust the Pop Trolls out of the Troll Tree. Then he and Mom died." His expression turned bitter and he scoffed. "It was stupid to think I'd ever make him proud."
"Why?" Branch asked.
"Because I'm me, Branch," John Dory said, his face hard. "I haven't done a single thing right since they died. I tried for almost a year then realized how ridiculous it was. There I was, juggling taking care of four kids, keeping house, cooking, and just trying to keep you alive without a single clue on what to do. If Grandma hadn't been there, I don't know what would have happened."
John Dory suddenly stopped talking, breathing hard. Branch looked up at him, leaning close. "It wasn't easy, was it?" he asked softly.
"No," John Dory said hoarsely. "It was the hardest thing I've ever done. And I failed. I've studied around the world and can do so much, but I failed at the most important thing I would ever do. I'm… I'm a failure."
John Dory hid his face and wept. Bruce, Clay, and Floyd gazed at him in astonishment. They'd never considered how much pressure John Dory put on himself. For the first time, they realized that his drive for perfection had affected his view of himself as much as his view of them. The difference was that they could get away from John Dory, but he couldn't escape himself.
"Oh, JD," Bruce murmured.
He and Clay got up and they squeezed around John Dory to comfort him. Floyd and Branch leaned in, and John Dory hiccuped and squeezed them, still weeping.
"I'm sorry," he mumbled between sobs. "I'm so sorry. I couldn't… I couldn't do it. But I tried. I promise I did. I tried so hard…"
"We know," Clay said. "It's okay, JD."
"And Mom and Dad would be proud of you," Bruce said firmly. "But not because we hit the Perfect Family Harmony. It's because you came back as soon as you thought one of us needed you. You left, yeah, and we can't change that, but really, we all left. But you were the only one to come back. I'm sorry for not helping out more. It was… hard. Losing Mom and Dad. And then you changed. And I'm… I'm just so sorry."
"Me, too," Clay admitted. "I know I was selfish."
"Clay," John Dory chuckled through his tears. "You were just trying to grow up. I kept trying to push you back. I don't blame you for rebelling. I'm a mess to live under. And the thought of another Bruce scared me at the time. Guess I'm not so much of a leader."
"Honestly, that fits Branch more," Floyd said. "Sorry, JD, but your perfectionism is… hard to live with."
"Trust me, I know," John Dory muttered, wiping at his eyes.
"Just because you're not the leader doesn't mean you don't have a place with us," Branch said.
John Dory smiled. "That's exactly what he means, you know."
"Yeah. I know," Branch said. He hesitated then glanced at Floyd. "Did they tell you what happened to Grandma?"
"Yes," Floyd said softly. "And no, Bitty. You didn't kill her."
"So I didn't break up the band and I didn't kill Grandma?" Branch pressed.
"No, and definitely not," John Dory replied.
Branch looked around at his smiling brothers then sighed and hugged John Dory again. "I love you guys."
"Love you, too, Bitty," John Dory said, ruffling his hair.
"Enough with calling me that," Branch grumbled, scrubbing at his eyes.
"But that's your stage name," Clay said.
"Then when we launch our comeback, I'm calling myself something else."
"Comeback?" John Dory asked, his eyes lighting up. "Oh, you're not interested in that, are you?"
"Vacay Island would be a good place to do it, if you and Brandy are cool with it," Branch continued, turning to Bruce.
Bruce considered this. "It would be a boost in sales and you could all get the chance to really meet my family."
"That sounds great!" Clay exclaimed.
"What?" John Dory stared at them, hope kindling in his eyes. "Are you serious? You'd want to do a concert? Man, I don't know if I can do a full set! It's been years!" His voice betrayed his eagerness to try.
"I definitely couldn't do a full set. Maybe a couple songs at most," Floyd said, rubbing the back of his neck.
"We can get other bands," Branch said.
"On short notice?" John Dory asked.
"If you think lining up bands will be hard for me, you've got another thing coming," Branch said. "I know just about everyone through Poppy and the other kings and queens."
"It's fitting, since you're probably going to be king someday," Bruce teased.
There was a burst of laughter from John Dory, Clay, and Floyd, and Branch blushed. "I still don't know about all that."
"Don't worry. Whatever happens, we're with you," Floyd said.
"Hey, but if you do become king, do you think you can limit Viva's candy consumption?" Clay asked.
"I'm not touching that with a ten-foot pole," Branch said seriously.
Clay sighed. "Yeah. Probably for the best. Your health is dubious enough without you risking your life."
They laughed again and John Dory squirmed. "Can we practice?" he blurted out.
"Depends on who's in charge," Clay said.
"Branch, of course," John Dory said. "He's the one who knew we didn't need to be perfect to sing in harmony."
Branch smiled. "Let's do some scales to test Floyd's talent range first. That will change daily, so we need to take him into consideration."
They all readily agreed, and Branch watched them warm up. His thoughts couldn't help but circle around the thought that they needed bands to fill slots, and there was one other that he was well-acquainted with. There had been two years in between his brothers leaving and Grandma Rosiepuff's dying where he hadn't been completely grey. What his brothers seemed unaware of was that he had been in another band. He couldn't wait to see the looks on their faces when they found out. Branch already knew just what to say to invite his former band mates for a reunion concert.
Another thought made him smile. Poppy would freak at having another boy band show up. Besides that, she and Viva had sang the family harmony, too. Maybe he could surprise them by asking them to be in the band. He'd have to swing that one by his brothers, but somehow, he knew they wouldn't mind.
"Ready?" John Dory asked, bouncing in place.
"Are you?" Branch asked.
They chorused an agreement, so Branch began to hum a scale. They all followed his lead, and to their delight, singing together once again felt perfectly right.