Chapter Text
White sheets covered everything, the small crib with Branch painted with so much love over the top, a painted fantasy of woodlands, with a tiny teal and blue trolling sat in a meadow, his own figure mixed in, open arms crouched down to the baby.
White furniture, which had little mushroom and puffaflys carved into them, various patterns created with sea glass and shells for texture.
A trolling’s, His trolling’s wonderland, a small stuffed green seahorse fell from his shaking hands as tears poured down his face.
Bruce had locked himself away, in a nursery created for his son, his Baby's, it was Branch’s 22nd birthday, would have been, a bitter laugh spilled from him as he opened the shell necklace tracing the edge gently.
His little ones sweet face smiling up at him, little blue arms tight around his younger self’s neck as they both smiled together, pure love spilled from the picture making his heart clench, he could feel the colour on his body fading.
‘Bruce?'
‘Bruce, Honey?’ a soft knocking cached around the dark nursery, had him swallowing thickly.
He sobbed as Brandy found and lifting him, cuddling and holding him close, she never said anything, never forced him to talk, just held him and let him have this one day, no kids because she seemed to know seeing them made him worse.
He’d tell her, he always did, but for now he curled against her soaking in the unending comfort and warmth she silently offered.
The shell on his neck fisted tight in his hand, his baby forever close to his heart, even if he could never be here again.
Spruce was furious more often than not now he wasn’t able to get to Branch because there was another press event, another photo shoot, and ‘just five more minutes Spruce’.
It was the last straw when John Dory with that stupid grin on his face, like he had some brilliant idea, a shot of Spruce and Branch on the front cover on their day together, Branch’s face covered in chocolate ice cream, an enormous grin on his face.
Spruce felt his heart ache a little it had been so long ago, but they needed to money, Branch wasn’t exactly expected, but Spruce wouldn’t trade him for the world, he wanted to give Branch everything he could want, but that meant agreeing to pushing himself back into the heartthrob persona and he hated it, more and more every time.
‘And that’s why Branch should be in the band’, that one sentence had the world shatter around Spruce as he stared at the wide grin on John’s face, blood rushing in his ears, his vision tunnelling at the words.
He felt his hands clenching as the words join the band, ‘No, NO, HES NOT JOINING THE BAND’ his voice echoed around the training room Johns grin faltered as Clay and Floyd stared at them concerned.
Spruce couldn’t, wouldn’t let Branch grow up in the spit light his son needed real friends and to worry about what toy to play with or what he wanted to draw or colour next, not his figure or of a step was wrong, if he missed a note.
I am not the only traveller
Who has not repaid his debt
Why had he agreed to let Branch join his baby could have been hurt today, yes, the smile on his face was beautiful and Branch had the voice to match, but he was only 2 and half.
Spruce had been walking for a few hours, he had stopped himself turning back several time the desperation clawing at his chest to run back scoop his baby up and hold him close and promise to never let him go again.
He kept picturing the tears track coated cheeks, the scared expressions when Spruce had lost his temper, never at him, which sent him running to Floyd and his crippling guilt which lead him to extended cuddles and story time.
That was why he needed to leave, just a few days to get his head on straight, to be the Daddy his baby needed, not this angry troll he’d become.
Shaking the pill bottle, he downed the white tablet dry his anxiety had gotten worse, the closer it got to Trollstice, the worse it was, it was why he would be back on in a few days he needed to know his baby was safe.
A large shadow blocked the light where he had taken a break, his heart thundering in his ears when he realised it was her, the monster, she hadn’t seen him, but he knew his hair would give him away with how bright it was.
Darting through a small hole, he found refuge in a wooden crate enough to block his fur colour and shifted his hair to camouflage.
When the box shuddered, a lid hammering, down as a sack of some kind was wrapped around it stopping escaping, a scream wanted to claw from him, as he was bouncing around until a particular hard knock caused him to black out, it wasn’t until he something splashed his face did he wake back up.
Sitting up Spruce felt the water rushing around him, clothes already weighted down, his hair useless and water logged, the crate sliding around as water flooded deeper, climbing to something in little higher up kept him from drowning.
Spruce felt his heartbeat echoing in his ears, huddled under a scrap of fabric, it was dirty but dry, he’d dried his hair as best he could, clinging to a small damp in the corners picture he never went anywhere with out, his baby and him.
‘I’m sorry baby, Daddy will be home soon I promise’ the words lingered around him, Spruce didn’t even know where he was let alone how far away he was but he would get back that was his promise.
Closing his eyes Spruce curled the blanket around him staving off the worst of the chill, he drifted off.
Only to wake up fully in a soft, unfamiliar bed feeling like he had done too much choreography preparation.
‘Oh You’re awake, YOU’RE AWAKE’ a female voice called as a large yellow and red headed giant filled his vision, his body seizing at the size, he went to scramble away when a fluffy yellow hand blocking his path, ‘wait, the Doctor said you need rest’ her voice which Spruce realised was distinctly female, his heart slowing slightly as he listened to her.
‘Forgive me, my name is Brandy and you’re on Vacay Island, you’ve been unconscious for about two weeks, you’ve been really sick, I found you half drown in a crate washed on the sands, Roscoe said you must have swallowed half the ocean, but then he thinks he’s funny, I mean you’re such a handsome thing’ the words cut off when Brandy seemed to flush a little orange, ‘I mean...erm...little thing, I’m going to’.
Spruce felt his lips quirk slightly, she was cute when she rambled.
‘OH, here, placing something on her finger she carefully lowered it to him, a pink shell on a black cord, looking puzzled, he took it with a soft thanks not wanting to seem rude, he felt a small catch, a locket, ‘ we had trouble finding one so small, but the picture seemed important you were clinging to it’.
Spruce stroked the picture, before closing the catch tightly and putting it around his neck, ‘Thank you’ his hand gripped the shell, ‘Thank you for everything but I need to leave, I need to get back home, I’m already late, I promised’
Looking around the room and out the window Spruce realised, he didnt know where Vacay Island was and how far he had gone away from the troll tree, from Branch.
‘Do you know how to get to Bergan town’
His heart shattered when Brandy said no.
I’ve been searching for a trail to follow again
Take me back to the night I left
It had been six months when Spruce finally heard anything, he had worked hard crafting a home here for himself, Grandma and Baby Branch, waiting for any news as to how he could get back.
Lighting three small candles on a blue frosted cupcake, Spruce blew out the flame, ‘Happy birthday Baby, I’m sorry I broke my promise but I’m coming that I promise’.
He stumbled at the frantic banging on the wooden frame surrounding his small, but comfortable home ‘BRUCE, BRUCE’ he smiled as he clung to the wall guiding himself carefully over to the window to see the yellow goddess, he was lucky enough to be dating.
‘BRAN, BRAN, HONEY’ he called as the pod steadied.
‘Sorry Sweetheart, But I have news’, he climbed into to he open palm, as she pressed a kiss to his hair and him to her cheek he smiled.
‘Driff found it on his travels, Bergan town he gave me a map we can go, Right Now’ Brandy’s smile enormous and infectious.
Bruce started nodding ‘yeah, le..let’s go, now, right now’ jumping from her hand in to his pod running around throwing random things in his pack and the stuffed green seahorse he had made with Branch’s initial.
His ear pricked up as a warm laugh echoed around the pod as his girlfriend waited, when he realised ‘Brandy, babe you can’t come with me’ he dragged his new back pack with him.
Bruce didn’t win the argument, as he sat on Brandy’s shoulder, they drew closer to the Tree.
He had grown quiet, Brandy had noticed and leaned her head carefully against him offering the silent support he needed.
‘Such a gloomy place’ they crest the final hill stopping as they stared down, Bruce felt his chest tighten, right in the centre his former home, and it was brown leaved and looked withered, letting out a shuddering breath he nodded at the questioning look on Brandy’s brown eyes.
His heart thundering, breathing got shallow, one hand clutching a strand of Brandy’s fiery red hair the other fisted the pink shell around his neck, the rickety gates creaking ominously as they reached them.
Brandy’s free hand almost touching one to push it open when an angry growl echoed around them, when one of the horrible creatures saw them standing on the other side, and chased them away.
Bruce tried to call out as he clung to the strap of his girlfriends brown pack, when she stumbled over a patch of upturned earth.
And then I can tell myself
What the hell I’m supposed to do
‘Bruce’
‘I’m okay my Love, you?’ Bruce pushed himself out of the bush he had landed in, before running over checking on the yellow vacationer, helping her dust off as she stood.
Looking up as she gasped sharply as she stared at the surrounding woods.
‘Honey?’ she didn’t answer just lifted him carefully to see the destruction around them, uprooted plants, half dead or destroyed bushes, chunks of earth like scars marring the once pristine earth, shovels littered the area.
‘what happened?’ Bruce had a feeling he already knew, his heart clenched, ‘you need to follow them back, I’ll wait here, go’.
Bruce nodded slowly as he was lowered to the floor, ‘Wish me luck’ he laughed uncomfortably as he jumped, down one of the holes.
‘What the’ he coughed as the dirt cloud settled around him, the weak light shining through some of the gaps above.
Bruce walked along, picking his way carefully along the dirt, when he saw it....if he didn’t know the familiar colour and how it stood out from the dirt mound blocking his path, he would have missed it.
Pale from the dust, withered by age but all too familiar.
Purple and puffy.
His jacket, half buried in the dirt.
Kneeling, Bruce dug carefully pulls into the soil, loose bits falling until finally the bundled jacket came away, dirt spiralling in the air, turning it he felt something fall, two black eyes, a crooked grin, and torn fabric stared up at him, a giggle and ‘Daddy’ with glittery blue eyes, raced through his thoughts.
He stared, he couldn’t move, breath, ‘Branch’ he finally choked out, ‘No’ tears dripping slowly down his face, a primal, almost visceral scream escaped him, echoing around the cavern.
Fingers tearing through the packed dirt jamming under his finger nails painfully, but he couldn’t stop he needed to get to ‘BRANCH, BRANCH, BABY’ he felt it, his heart shattering, ‘Daddy, Daddy, Daddy’ the word ricocheted through his mind on constant repeat, hands burning, but he couldn’t stop, his son was in their trapped, scared, alone.
Bruce froze ‘alone’ his voice the only thing breaking the suffocating silence.
Alone, Branch was all alone, ‘You left me alone’ his mind screamed ‘Daddy why didn’t you come back, you promised, why did you lie’.
‘NO, no I didn’t lie, I came back, I’m back, I just needed to find you’ hands slowed, arms burning and heavy, ‘Baby boy, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, please, please, don’t be, please’.
Bruce clung to plush crocodile, under the layer of dirt the faint hint of Branch’s shampoo and baby powder, ‘No’ cradling the small toy, ‘I’m so sorry’, tears poured down his face, the dirt smearing his cheeks, the crocodile he’s saved for to give his baby the one thing he wanted for his birthday, clutched to his chest.
‘BRUCE, BRUCE, Honey’ a muffled voice called from above, taking a few shuddering breaths, climbing to his feet, the plush held close to his chest.
‘I’m here’ he coughed, ‘I’M HERE’ he shouted, when he saw the shadow, Brandy fuzzy hand reaching in letting him latch his hair around her wrist to hold on as she life him out.
‘Honey’ her voice soothing his frayed emotions, he looked seeing the concern in her eyes which were looking at his hands, Brandy gave a half smile, while he knew she didn't understand fully, she understood enough, ‘I’m sorry Bruce.’
They left that day and Bruce told her everything as she cried with him, four years later they were married and their first son was born Birch.
And then I can tell myself
Not to ride along with you
Branch stood at the door of his family’s old pod, the colours as vibrant as he remembered, toying with his fingers nervous, shuffling on the spot to try and shake his nerves.
Hand shaking he opened the door, a rush smells came forward, breaths shuddering as the memories came rushing back.
Stepping hesitantly, Branch looked around the pod, pictures slightly askew but still there, the macramé table cloth and rug, and there in the middle of the room.
‘Daddy’ voice shaking as he knelt at the small nest he’d created after Grandma was eaten, his Daddy’s blanket and his pillow, he wasn’t allowed to take them when Uncle Sky rescued him from left behind, he was only aloud his plush and some clothes, his Daddy’s jacket and Croco were lost in the tunnels.
Shaking of the dusty blue pillow Branch clutched it to his chest, he refused to leave it behind again, hugging it close he tried to remember what his Daddy looked like, the picture he had was lost with his other things, and no one would let him look through the scrapbooks to look for a picture because they didn’t want him to make them grey, Uncle Sky had been kind and was able to give him one but someone tore it up when he brought it for show and tell.
Branch had always remembered the way he smelled through, warm, safe and like blackberries, Daddy had always worn some kind of purple, lifting the sheet Branch brought it to his nose the smell of age, but there under it all the familiar safe smell he had missed everyday.
I had all and then most of you
Branch loved days like this, just him and his Daddy together, alone no one wanting Daddy’s attention.
Giggling as they walked along in almost matching clothes, his Daddy wore purple and he wore blue, smiling Branch held the bigger teal hand tight, as Daddy liked him every so often.
They were walking through the market stalls, daddy had a smile on his face, as Branch laughed at being scooped up and placed in the purple strands which wove around him, ‘nice and safe baby’, Branch giggled out a ‘yes’ as they carried on.
He never saw the scowl Spruce gave at the camera troll who was taking pictures of them.
Their trip to the market had finished Branch clinging to the new plushie Daddy bought him, yawning every so often, rubbing his face against the soft fabric humming happily as Daddy cuddled him against his chest, the steady thump of his heart beat under his ear, ‘you like him bug’ the soft hum was cut off by a wide yawn from the trolling.
‘Daddy’ Branch sleepy, nuzzling his face closer to the warm blackberry scent that he connected with his Daddy, a soft whoosh of air ran past him as he blinked slowly, when a soft bump woke him.
‘Sorry Baby’ a yawn escaped Branch as the warm scent of home washed over him, a soft hum had him snuggling back into the blackberry and safety he felt.
‘Daddy, I had the best day’ he murmured as a soft kiss was pressed to his head, his limbs shifting slowly as he was dressed in something warm, the zipping sound made him blink slowly once more as Daddys soft smile entered his vision, ‘love Da’ a yawn cut him off.
Croco in his arms, and a warm milk in his belly, Daddy cuddling him humming softly Branch closed his eyes safe in the knowledge his Daddy would always be there.
‘HE’S NOT DOING IT JOHN DORY THATS FINAL, I’M HIS DAD NOT YOU, YOU DON’T GET TO DESIDE WHATS BEST FOR HIM, I DO, AND HE’S NOT JOINING THE BAND, HE’S A BABY, MY BABY’ their bedroom door slammed shut, Daddys face was angry as unca JD was pushed out a magazine in his hands.
Branch stared at the door clutching the picture he made, sniffling Daddy was upset again, he had been for a lot of times, but this was the worst.
Branch just wanted to make him feel better, like Daddy did for Branch, so he made a picture of them together making cupcakes, and hugging.
‘Hey bud’ he looked at the warm pink eyes of his unca Floy, who lifted him it a warm hold, tucking his face into the leaf vest the soft scent of Floyd soap in his nose, ‘Daddy’s had a bit of bad news, why don’t we give him a few minutes and bet he would love to see that picture’.
Clasping the magenta haired trolls’ neck as he was lifted Branch stared at the door, he’d been in troll care for a little while and even if he enjoyed it his missed his Daddy recently, and Grandma had picked him up a lot the last few times, even when he promised to.
‘Hey Bitty B’ Branch hid his face in Floyds neck if Daddy was mad at Unca JD so was Branch, ‘hey don't be like that’ a hand touched his head which he smacked away with a firm ‘NO’.
‘BRANCH, we don’t smack’ Floyd scolded gently grabbing his hand, tears welled in his eyes before he gave in and cried, he wanted his Daddy.
Someone scooped him up and he clung to the shirt when he realised it was his Daddy ‘It’s okay Baby I’ve got you, I’ve got you’ he was swayed gently and walked back to their bedroom, he was huddled safe against Daddys chest as he was told a story, the rumble under his ear.
Daddy promised he would be their to get Branch from troll care, it happened five times but Daddy always apologised and hugged him, even when he was tired, Branch didn’t care he just missed his Daddy.
Some and now none of you
Unca JD had brought him from troll care early, waving at his friend’s, Branch clung to John’s neck.
‘Where we going unca JD?’
‘Surprise for your Daddy Bitty B.'
Branch took in the sight his head swivelling this way and that as he saw the unfamiliar pod, they went into a room which had cameras all around and lots of clothes hung up.
Branch didn’t like this, JD left him in the middle of the room, when the flashes started, blinking back spots, he hid his face behind his small hands, little body trembling, his hair hiding him quickly, he couldn’t control it like grown up trolls just yet but he could do this.
He want Croco and his Daddy, that was when he heard it ‘I TOLD YOU NO, LOOK AT HIM HES TERRIFIED’ a thump had Branch peaking out.
‘DADDY’ Branch was quickly scooped into strong familiar arms, cuddling close, he saw Unca's Clay and Floyd helping JD up from the floor, and back to Daddy who had a scary face, which quickly changed when he realised Branch was looking.
What the pair didn’t know was the cameras had started up again catching the tender moment between the two, ‘I told you he’s not joining the band’ his daddy growled.
Branch heard it, join the band, his ears wiggled at the idea, if he was in the band then he’d have more time with Daddy and they could sing together, all of them, it was his favourite thing to do.
‘I want to be in the band, please Daddy I can sing with you’ Branch chirped excited.
‘Bug I’ he was cut off by the magenta trollager.
‘It can’t hurt to let him sing a few songs, can it?’ Branch turned to see unca Floyd walking over, ‘he wouldn’t be on stage, he wouldn’t even have to be on the album, he clearly misses you Spruce, and you him’
‘Floyd, I, okay, okay’ Daddy looked at him, ‘You can be in the band, but you do as Daddy says okay’ Branch nodded quickly hugging Daddy tight as Daddys held him just as much he heard a sigh but didn’t understand.
Take me back to the night you left
Branch stared he didn’t know what to do, he listened to Daddy, he did, but he reached out as Daddy ripped his vest off and left, ‘Daddy’ little voice quiet and scared, he went to follow when he was lifted up by Unca Floyd, who placed him on the rug.
‘No Baby Branch you need to stay here’
‘You’re not leaving too’ his voice small and scared he didn’t want. Unca Floyd to go and he wanted his Daddy back.
‘I’ll be back, I promise’ he was wrapped into a warm hug, as the green leaf vest was wrapped around him.
‘you stay and take care of Grandma, okay?’ nodding as he got a nuzzle, ‘I’ll see you soon baby Branch’
Branch stared at the door, his Daddy left, Unca Floyd left, his felt his eyes burning, emotions bubbling in his belly, his little body shaking as he pulled the vest tight, ‘Daddy, Unca Floyd’ he squeaked, as everything bubbled up and out.
Sitting on his nappy clad bottom he sobbed.
‘Daddy, Daddy, Daddy’ he was picked up and bundled in the vest and a another ‘DADDY’ he screamed into Grandma’s chest, rubbing his face hard against the fabric of her fluffy dressing gown, cradled close he felt the rocking starting.
Grandma humming softly under his ear, pulling the vests close, ‘Daddy’, his voice trembling, ‘Daddy’ he closed his eyes clinging to Grandma, ‘Daddy’ his eyes slipped closed as he fell asleep.
Everything caught up to the little one.
Branch stared out the pod window Daddys vest tight against him, his head turning this way and that searching for his Daddy, he promised hed be back today, ‘Grandma, Daddy’s coming home today, right?’.
Grandma nodding running a hand through his hair, ‘that’s what he said peachfuzz’ giggling at the name Branch purred nuzzling the purple hand, his head going back to window bouncing slightly.
The day wore on but he never stopped looking until it was dark, ‘Daddy’ his head bobbed up at a figure coming to the door.
‘GRANDMA, GRANDMA, DADDYS BACK, DADDYS BACK’ he screamed when a frantic knocking at pod door started, ‘GRANDMA’.
‘Alright peachfuzz, alright’ he clung to her leg,
Mr Sky stood at the door, ‘Rosie’ his voice was a soft as he held something Branch couldn’t see but made Grandma gasp.
‘Peach fuzz go wait in your room please’.
‘But Grandma’
‘Branch, baby please go wait in your bedroom for me’, Branch looking at Grandma, nodded with a pout, he ran and grabbed the pictures he made before scooting.
He heard Grandma cry, as saw Mr Sky hugging her, they were talking low that Branch couldn't hear it all but he heard enough.
‘Bergan, Spruce’s bag, sorry and gone’.
Branch knew those words, he stared at the pictures he made, him and Daddy in a fort, cuddling, baking, he tore them up and curled in Daddys bed, bundled under the purple vest and blue sheets.
He held a picture of them together when Branch was a hatchling, he had fallen hugging the picture close.
I don’t know what I’m supposed to do
Bruce had left the safe hold of his wife and home, he was sat on his board a small wreath of blue island flowers twenty-two in total, one for each birthday, and one purple heart for him, he held the shell in his hand, a soft happy birthday song on his lips the final note lingering, and set the flowers floating off.
‘Happy Birthday Branch, I miss you’.
Bruce pressed his head to the flowers and set them in the water, watching long after they were our of his sight.
Haunted by the ghost of you
Branch stood crafting a makeshift sack to carry some things back to his bunker, with the utmost care he took the pictures down, the felt figures dim, but he recognised the trolls by the colours of their hair.
Uncles John Dory, Goggles, Uncle Clay, Book, Uncle Floyd, Guitar and Grandma her colours familiar.
And then he found it his Dad, he traced the features, they shared the same nose and crooked smile, the same flashes of purple in his hair matched his Dads.
This was his Daddy, tucking the picture in his pocket safe and close to his heart.
‘I miss you Daddy, I love you’.
Oh, take me back to the night I/You left.
Unknown to father and son, in that moment they looked at the same star and made the same wish.
To see each other one more time, to tell the other how much they loved them and just one more hug.
Oh, take me back to the night I/You left.
Unknown to father and son, in that moment they looked at the same star and made the same wish.
To see each other one more time, to tell the other how much they loved them and just one more hug.