The lyrics for the new song were not coming and John Dory did not know of a way to make his brain actually make the words. He had tried drawing, spelling different ways, the color coordination Lily had come up with to make the letters stop swirling around the page. But none of it worked.
Giving up he started to draw, not focusing on anything, just letting his mind wander for the first time in a very long time. "JD," Spruce's voice came from behind him, "what are you doing?"
Not looking up from his drawing, "It's an idea for a joint tombstone, I've been with Lily every other time so why not be buried together." He froze, realizing what he just said. Whirling to glare at his fifteen year old brother, "If you tell anyone about that I will kill you!"
Spruce shook his head at his older brother's stupidity, "You could just ask her out instead of daydreaming about joint tombstones." Noticing that JD was about to jump to his feet, "Anyway, what brings this on? Did something happen?"
John froze, yes it had but it describing it would not seem like anything to anyone else. He had been chasing Branch, trying to get the toddler to put on his shorts when Lily knelt down to get an armful of happy trolling. When she looked up at him John could see the way the light hit her eyes turning them into two pools of warm honey, her spray of freckles being poked by Branch. For a second he saw the future with their children exploring her freckles with curious fingers but he had quickly pushed it down. Lily was his best friend, there was nothing romantic to explore.
"John?" A blue hand waved in front of his face, and he realized that he had never answered Spruce's question. His brother looked worried, "Are you okay?"
Stepping away, "Yeah, I'm okay Spruce." Running a hand through his hair, "And no, nothing happened with Lily. I am just tired and the lyrics for the latest song aren't coming."
The sound of a chair being pulled out caused John to stop in his tracks, "Wow, your handwriting is awful." Turning he saw Spruce looking at his attempts, "I see why Lily writes things out for you." The purple haired troll looked up at him, "Would you like some help? Because your dyslexia is clearly winning this one."
Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, it's Spruce he knows all about this snag. It's not like the others have found out, "Some help would be great." Going to it at the desk with his brother, "But…"
"Don't let the others know?" Seeing the smile on his brother's face helped John relax. Spruce understood him. And together they were able to get the stubborn lyrics for the song out.