Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Cape Dory is her parents’ only daughter, and it shows.

CD—as she prefers to be called—is almost six when her oldest youngest brother is hatched. Spruce, Grandma calls him fondly, brushing through hair that is so much alike to their mother’s.

CD missed her parents. They left her—she’s six, with a new Trolling and a guardian she doesn’t think likes her very much.

Spruce is two when the next egg gets dropped off with the family. Out hatches another boy, this time Grandma calls him Clay. CD adores her younger brothers, coddles them and cooks for them when Grandma asks, she sings them to sleep and she holds them close when they have nightmares.

She’s eleven, Spruce is seven, Clay is five, and Grandma is old, when the next egg is given straight into CD’s hands, with a dismissive wave from her parents. She resolutely refuses to cry in front of her brothers—her baby brothers—and cradles the small pink egg to her chest.

Floyd, Grandma calls him. He’s got the family’s blue-teal skin, and a strange pink hair that CD adores. She coddles him more than necessary, she admits, but he was always a fussy, sensitive Trolling.

(She won’t tell anyone, for fear of death, that Floyd called her mom. He never has to know, no one will ever know.)

Floyd is maybe five when the next and final egg is dropped off into CD’s hands. She’s long since refused to allow her baby brothers to see their parents. She’s sixteen, angry at the world and her parents  but never her baby brothers.

Out pops, quite honestly, the cutest little Trolling. Branch, Floyd had whispered in awe, and they went with it.

They need money. They’re natural born singers, Grandma insisted, and CD has the brilliant idea of a band. Grandma makes her the leader, as she’s the oldest.

It works for a while. Just long enough for them to become popular, and Branch to have his first show.

CD pushes them. She wants them to succeed, of course, and the stress and Grandma are getting to her, so she pushes them harder than she should.

Their last show fails. Miserablely. And she leaves, going to hike as she always wanted to.

It’s not until later she even realizes that no one stayed for Branch, and then she remembers that Grandma adores the little Trolling. She’ll visits later, she just…can’t trust herself around Grandma right now.

Being away gives her time to think. CD knows that Grandma hadn’t been very fond of her, but she was good at pretending for the younger boys. But now CD realizes that Grandma probably had never liked her. Loved her, maybe, at a different time, but she had never liked her oldest grandchild.

CD hikes. And she hikes. And she hikes some more. And then she meets Rhonda.

Rhonda is adorable. An Armadillo Bus with a passion for cuddles and an ability to track as much as she wants.

CD loves her.

Rhonda has enough space for CD to move in, so she takes her minimal belongings and does so—with the Bus’ permission and approval, of course.

CD isn’t a big talker. She’s rusty with singing and can’t hold a tune for a while out of inexperience, but she isn’t bad. At least not to Rhonda, and not to the Trolls she sees who she performs to for money.

She upgraded her special girl as much as she wants, petting and cleaning and fawning over the Bus all day.

Finally, finally, she goes back to check on Branch and Grandma. And she finds their pod empty. Empty and cold and messy and so, so unlike how either of her family would leave it.

So she assumes the worst. They had gotten eaten by Bergens.

CD is an ugly crier. She’s loud and heartbroken as she clutches a picture of Branch’s egg to her chest, wailing over her baby, all of her babies, who she’s lost and they all hate her and—

She comes back to Rhonda with her brothers’ things stuffed in a bag on her back, graying skin and darkening hair and tail fluff.

Rhonda croons, worried for her owner but CD ignores her, unpacking her brothers’ things and setting them gently around the Bus, staring forlornly and ignoring the tears in her eyes.

Cape Dory—CD, as she prefers, is twenty years old. And she’s on her own, just her and her Rhonda.

CD hikes, and Rhonda follows. Rhonda tracks, CD hunts, they eat, rinse, repeat. CD mourns, Rhonda croons, CD gets a little bit of her color back at a time.

CD is twenty-two when she meets Majesty, a Rock Troll. Or, in her own words, a Deathmetal Troll. With Majesty, a friend Bergen who called herself Toby. They were, apparently, dating.

It rocks her world. Majesty is loud, aggressive even, but respectful and she behaves when asked. Toby doesn’t sing, she can’t really hold a tune, but she hums. They let CD stay with them for a while.

They’re beautiful.

Toby adores Rhonda, cleans her where CD can’t, walks with her where CD has trouble keeping up sometimes, plays with her without fear of getting trampled. CD adores her, adores them both.

Majesty is loud where Toby is quiet. Majesty is harsh where CD and Toby like to take a gentler approach. Majesty plays instruments where CD sings, and Toby listens. CD adores her, adores their shared music.

She adjusts her own, listening to songs that generally wouldn’t have hit her taste at all, but Majesty is good. Majesty makes and recommends good songs.

But she can’t just…pursue them. They haven’t shown even a smidgen of interest in her. And plus, Rhonda needs to approve! Rhonda is her family, the only family she has left. Rhonda is the deciding factor.

CD really hopes Rhonda approves.

Cape Dory—CD, as she prefers—is twenty-four when Majesty and Toby ask her out. CD is twenty-four when Rhonda approves of their relationship. She’s twenty-four when she says yes.

There are times CD doesn’t regret leaving. Very few times, but they exist. Getting asked out by beautiful women she wouldn’t have met otherwise? Definitely a time she doesn’t regret leaving.

CD really hopes her brothers—her babies—are happy, wherever they are and whoever they’re with.

Chapter Text

CD is twenty-two when she meets Majesty and Toby.

It goes a little something like this,

Rhonda was tired, so CD had her pull over to take a break, hunt some things and all of that. She’s gentle as can be as she cleans her Armadillo Bus, cooing at her gently.

And then a guitar riff. CD shrieked, Rhonda growled, and two voices laughed, gently. A Troll popped out from behind a log, and after a moment, another, larger being kneeled behind her.

”Hi! You’re new here, what’s your name?” The Troll, about CD’s height, with a dark purple fur color and a lighter pink hair color. In some places, her skin was smooth and a contrasting pink, scars decorating their body. Black eyes focused on her, their tail flicked behind them, and oddly enough, horns stuck from their head.

Behind the Troll, a…Bergen. Shoulder length brown hair, a light green skin color, and pink eyes trained on CD as well. Hair braided with flowers woven in between strands.

”Helllooo? You awake?”

CD blinked, waving at Rhonda to stand down. “Uh..sorry. Sorry. My name’s Cape Dory. You can call me CD.”

“You a Pop Troll?” The Troll leaned closer, small chains dangling from their ears. “I’m a Rock Troll subgenre. A Deathmetal Troll. Call me Majesty.”

CD stared. “Pop…Troll? Genre? What do you mean?”

The Bergen nodded emphatically. “Trolls have Genres, CD. You’re one of them.” They explained. “Oh. And call me Toby!”

After a moment, the Pop Troll nodded slowly. “Nice to meet you two, Majesty, Toby. I’m CD, as stated before, and this is my girl, Rhonda.” She gestured to the Bus, who moved forward and nuzzled into her owner’s back. “She’s amazing.”

Majesty snorted, tossing the guitar behind her back and moved forward to pat Rhonda. Toby reached down and traced a finger delicately over Rhonda’s shell, and the Bus chirped happily.

”She’s lovely.” Toby complimented, looking down at CD, who blushed and preened proudly. “You take good care of her!”

Majesty laughed, going to lean against Toby’s leg. “Toby’s right! You do really take good care of Rhonda. I love the name.”

Rhonda cooed, practically preening at the compliments. CD, proud and adoring, proceeded to rave about her Bus for about ten minutes. The Troll-Bergen couple listened, enraptured as CD regaled the tale of how they became family. Majesty even clapped a few times.

After a while, Toby invited CD and Rhonda to stay at their (their!!) house. Prepared for anything, the Pop Troll agreed, and that’s how they got here.

CD sat next to Majesty on a table with Toby making them food, Rhonda curled up around the legs of the table.

“What’s she making?” CD leaned over to ask her fellow Troll. Majesty simply shrugged.

”Toby makes what she wants, man. I just know it’ll be good.” Majesty twisted a little nub on her guitar, humming as she went.

”She must be great, then.”

”The best.” Majesty assured, a proud smile gracing her lips. “And Rhonda can eat it, too! Made completely of animals and plants that I’ve hunted myself.” She sounded even prouder.

CD smirked, and the days went by like that. She and Rhonda stayed for maybe three days before they hit the road for their next hike, with a promise to write and just stay in touch from the couple she had stayed with.

She’s back within a month at Majesty and Toby’s insistence. They want to celebrate her birthday with her, and who is she to deny them?

Cape Dory—though she much prefers CD—is twenty-three when a drunk night leads to her spending the night in bed with her best friends. She wakes far before them, she grabs Rhonda, writes them a quick note, and she bolts.

She’s embarrassed, obviously. And she really hopes neither of them remember.

Except, they do. Of course. Rhonda missed them, so she turned right around and went back to their house after a week or two.

They’re been greeted with open arms and happy crying, because these two missed them so much it broke even Majesty’s generally tough exterior.

CD felt horrible for it. She hated abandoning people—ironic, really—, especially those who she cared for. So she stayed for a good two months, bonding with and finally getting somewhere in her romantic relationship with Majesty and Toby.

At twenty-four, Majesty and Toby say her down and asked her to date them. Majesty, twenty-eight and Toby, thirty-two, asked CD—who was years their junior—to date them. With the intention to marry her.

CD took a while to answer. She had asked for a minute to think it over, and had asked Rhonda what she thought. Rhonda, very obviously, had encouraged CD to pursue them.

An hour later, she had agreed to date the two women. Toby cried. Majesty cheered loudly, and then they sang for a while.

Well, more like Majesty screamed and CD harmonized with said screaming. Majesty had very nice sounding screams.

Well that didn’t sound very good.

CD, Majesty, and Toby date for about five years when Majesty throws a ring at Toby and hands one over to CD.

Which yay. Now she’s engaged.

She cried. She cried a whole lot about it. So did Toby. And Majesty.

Rhonda curled right around the two Trolls as they sobbed, and Toby sat down to hold both of her fiancés, allowing them to kiss her over and over.

A year later, they’re married and Rhonda is the flower girl.

They never have children. Majesty, an older sister like CD herself, has been just as parentified as her wife. Toby, wonderful Toby, had decided that Rhonda was basically their daughter. Any pets were practically the children that neither Troll had ever desired.

So they got a Bloodhound Bug. Majesty named him ‘Your Highness.’

CD loves the family she’s built for herself. She could never replace her brothers—her babies—but she’s satisfied with and loves the family she’s made with the loves of her life, Rhonda, and Your Highness.

Cape Dory—CD, as she prefers—is thirty years old when she gets married and builds a family with her wives. She wishes her brothers were there, but she can’t have everything.

Chapter Text

CD very much hates interrupting weddings, especially big ones. She’s only ever been to two, including her own wedding, but she needs to talk to her Bitty B.

”Stop the wedding!”

Gasps all around as the balloon dropped, a Troll landing in front of Queen Poppy and her Bitty B.

Oh, he’s alive. Thank Pop those rumors were true. CD surges forward, hugging her baby close, tears in her eyes. And then she realizes, putting him down and stepping away.

”I am so, so sorry for interrupting you—“

”Who are you? And why are you hugging my boyfriend?” The Queen buts in, eyeing CD suspiciously. Bitty B—who was not so bitty anymore, so Branch now—was simply staring, while everyone behind them and around them simply stared.

CD took a deep breath, offering a proud smile. “I’m Branch’s sister! CD.”

After a moment, realization seems to set in for the Queen. “Oh my gosh, you’re Cape Dory! From BroZone, the—“

“Leader.” CD agrees.

”Old one!” The Queen laughs. CD blinks, offended. “Why didn’t you tell me you had siblings, Branch?”

”Not my sister.” B asserts, and CD’s smile falters, now hurt.

The Queen gives him an exasperated look. “That’s now how DNA works.” She then seems to come to a realization. “Oh, honey..” her voice was softer as she walked over to CD’s sulking baby brother. “Are you mad you weren’t in the band?”

”Not in the band?” CD snorts. “Branch was in the band.”

”As who?”

Smugly, CD smiled at Branch and the Queen. “Bitty B.”

Well now all of the baby’s friends looked shocked. “No way.” Someone in the back exclaims.

“Really?” The Queen shouts. CD nods, and then she notices that B is leaving.

”Wait Bit—Branch! I need to talk to you.”

He stops, looking over his shoulder at her. Her expression twists in a strange mix of pleading and concern. “It’s about Floyd.”

Branch froze, turning to look entirely at her. “Floyd?”

CD nods solemnly, clasping her paws in front of him after trying to take his, something he predictably refused. “He was kidnapped.”

”What.” Something like fury seemed to take over Branch’s face. CD winces, wringing her paws nervously. Her tail flicked back and forth minutely.

”So…I need your help. We need to find the others and do the perfect family harmony. That’s the only way.” She explains, knowing exactly how this is a sore spot for all of her brothers. Predictably, Branch sputters in indignation.

”I know, I know. But this isn’t a request from me, it’s from Floyd. Just…please, Branch?” Her lips drew together into a thing line.

”…How did you know Floyd was kidnapped?” Branch, sounding strangely strangled, asks, his fists clenched.

CD goes on to explain exactly how.

She was on a hike, so it was just her and Rhonda. She’d been relaxing in her bed when a knock on her door caught her attention. Slowly, she stood and went to go see, paw on a knife. She peeked out from behind a corner, and then noticed a note had been placed on the window.

After checking the scene, CD snatched the note and fled back into Rhonda, reading it.

Floyd had specifically requested their other brothers to help her, but CD had to go check it out for herself.

Mount Rageous, huh? Sounds familiar.

Rhonda rushed over, and CD snuck in, following the two people that Floyd had accused. And yes, they did indeed have her second youngest. Fury bubbles inside of her as she speaks to him.

“CD…this is diamond. Only..”

”The perfect family harmony.” CD realized, wincing. Floyd sighed, nodding. His ears flicked as he avoided looking at his only sister.

”I…I don’t want to leave you, Floyd-“ CD attempted, but Floyd shook his head, insisting that she leave to find the others, before Velvet and Veneer find her, too.

With a promise of coming back, CD leaves just before the Rageons find her.

Branch stares for a moment, before his shoulders slumped. “…Alright. For Floyd.”

CD’s face lit up, and she smiles gratefully at her baby. “I’m coming with you!” The Queen insists, grabbing Branch and staring excitedly at CD, who laughed and waved them into Rhonda.

”Okay…sit anywhere but in the front, try not to hit her too hard or at all, and…call her by her name.” CD informs, gesturing around the inside of Rhonda.

”So…who are we looking for first?” Branch asks, taking a seat with the Queen at his side.

”Spruce. And I know exactly where he is.” CD produces a post card, handing it over to Branch and heading for the front of the bus. “Uh…guys, there’s a Trolling in my girl. Who’s kid is this?”

The Queen and Branch rushed over, crowding around the glittery Trolling in Rhonda.

”Tiny Diamond?” Queen Poppy asks, shocked. “What are you doing here?”

”I have my learner’s permit.” The Trolling assures, holding it for her to see.

CD’s eyes narrow as she looks at it, then at Branch. Together, the siblings shrug, but the Queen presses the issue.

”Who is…Adulty McManface?” She asks incredulously.

”The better question is…are you a narc.” Tiny Diamond turned his head and stared at her. Queen Poppy blinks.

”Who cares? Step on it, Adulty!” CD encourages, leaning on the chair the Trolling had taken.

Branch caught her attention, going to start a hushed conversation.

”This really can’t tell us where Spruce is.” He explains, waving the post card.

”Sure it can. We just have to look for this place.” She insists, that understanding look on her face that she knows has always infuriated and calmed down all her little brothers.

”It doesn’t exist, CD!” Branch sighs,  waving the postcard.

”Ay, y’all! You’re gonna wanna see this.” The Trolling calls back to them. The siblings walked back over, and to CD’s delight and Branch’s disbelief, the postcard place did in fact exist. Down to the sign on top.

”How do we cross?” The Queen asks, looking at CD in confusion.

”We can just drive.” CD assures. “Rhonda’s completely waterproof.”

With a shrug, the Trolling stepped on the gas and the Bus took off the edge of the cliff. As the rest of the Trolls screamed, CD just leaned back and let gravity do its thing.

Ah, life.

Chapter Text

CD, endlessly amused, watches as the three Trolls that joined her slid out of Rhonda. She comes out after them, backing away as her girl shook the rest of the water off.

”Completely waterproof, CD?” Branch stands, helping the Queen up. He sends her an accusatory glare.

The oldest just snorts, patting Rhonda’s side as her girl nuzzled into her.

”Where…are we?” The Queen, who insisted on CD just calling her Poppy, asks, looking around.

”Only one way to find out.” The forty year old plucks the Trolling off the ground, put him on Branch’s shoulder, and starts walking.

The two younger Trolls glance at each other, share a shrug, and follow as she made her way through the jungle. Poppy even struck up a conversation.

”So…who wrote ‘Girl, I Love Your Love, Girl’?”

”I did, Poppy Seed.” CD hums, cutting her way through some of the plants around them.

”Cool. And who wrote ‘Girl, You Break My Heart, Girl’?”

”I did.”

”And what about ‘Girl, I Love Your Love, Girl, You Break My Heart, Girl, I Still Love You, But I Seriously Think We Should Have A Talk About Our Relationship, Girl’?”

”That was Branch.”

Her baby brother blinks in confusion at his sudden inclusion.

”Really?!” Poppy Seed looks back at Branch. “Because that’s my favorite BroZone song, like, ever.”

“Kidding.” CD responds before Branch can. “I wrote that one, too. Bitty B never wrote anything.”

”I was a baby.” He snarks. “What did you want me to write about, diaper rash?”

Poppy giggles, and CD sends him a smug look as he blushed.

CD moves forward faster as the two younger Trolls start talking, unwilling to be in their personal business when it’s clear Branch really doesn’t want her around that much.

After a moment, she calls back “I can feel it! We’re getting closer, guys.”

And then a cliff. CD’s chest seizes, flashes of something she blocked out a long time ago appearing in her mind. And then the three younger Trolls screamed, and she was on edge immediately.

”Wow, check it out everyone. Fellow rock climbers.” A new voice pipes up, one that is the stereotypical cool guy voice.

She forced her eyes down, ignoring as her mind screams about boiling water all too suddenly. The one-sleeved jacket she wore covering the burned fur of her arm itched. It’s never done that before.

”Welcome to Vacay Island, little dudes.”

CD relaxes minutely, gesturing her group to follow as she makes her way down slowly.

”Heartthrob?” Poppy, now with a drink CD didn’t even notice in her hand, has her eyes on the waves as Spruce surfs in, singing easily. “I can see it.”

CD and Branch share an exasperated, fond look as Spruce passes them without anyone noticing. And then CD notices, following after him.

”Wait, Spruce!” He ignores her in favor of talking to an employee of his, tossing a menu back that hit Bitty B in the face. “Spruce!”

”Oh, I knew it would happen. Someone recognized me from my BroZone days. Okay, I’ll give you an autograph, just be discreet about it.”

He still wasn’t facing them. “What? No, it’s us. Your siblings.”

Now he spun around. CD offers an excited grin, reaching to hug him when he passes her right back and got Branch in a hug. “Bitty B!” He tosses the youngest up, and CD’s heart broke just a little. He had…ignored her.

She knew they weren’t very fond of her, after all the last time any of her brothers had seen her, she was abandoning them, but she raised these boys. And…her oldest youngest brother was ignoring her.

”Okay, no more tossing! I’m too big to be tossed.” Branch protests, shoving him off.

”…What?” CD going ignored again, Spruce takes Branch’s face in his paws and started examining the youngest.

”Last time I saw you, you were in diapers! Look at you!”

“Diapers, yeah.” Branch shoves Spruce’s hand away from his ear. “Don’t do that. I’m too old for that.”

CD blinks as Poppy joins in the conversation. All she can feel right now is hurt.

”Okay, Spruce, we need your help.” She buts in, looking at the purple haired Troll. “It’s about Floyd.”

”Oh, I go by Bruce now. No one’s called me Spruce in years.” He corrects, still not really facing her.

”Bruce?” Poppy mouths at Branch incredulously at the same time CD speaks.

”Yeah.” He finally turns to face her, the smile all but wiped off his face when he sees her, small scars covering her face. “I really wanted to get away from the whole boy band thing, especially now that I’m a father.”

”You’re a dad?” She refuses to acknowledge how choked up she sounds. She has grandchildrennieces and nephews. And a new in-law. Sp—Bruce has children. Dear Gods, he has children.

He introduces them to his wife, a Vacaytioner named Brandy, and their many children.

”We make it work.”

”…How..?” She regrets asking, as they both fumble for an answer before the children start talking.

Feeling slightly bad, she catches his attention again. “Look, let’s cut to the chase. We’re not here to catch up, S-Bruce. We need to hit the perfect family harmony.”

It hurts when his face falls into a disinterested almost glare. “I knew it. Of course she’s still going on about that.” He almost scowls at her. “Get these guys their orders to go.”

”No!” CD sounds slightly desperate. “It’s not for me. It’s for Floyd. He’s being held captive.”

He, much like how Branch did, freezes. “Then what are we waiting for? We need to-“

”Hit the perfect family harmony.”

”Call the authorities.” They say simultaneously.

Poppy looks confusedly between them, and Branch sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Tail lashing nervously, CD frowns at Bruce. “No, Floyd’s being held captive in a diamond prison.”

”Oh, well you’d need the family harmony for that. But how?” He frowns right back, more contemplative. “You do remember our last show, don’t you?”

All three shared winces at the memory, Branch’s claws rapping against his fur.

”Of course I do. But I’m sure that if we just practice-“

”At my age?” Bruce scoffs. “Please.”

”See? Told you dad wasn’t in a band.” One of his kids tells a sibling.

”What? I was in a band. Ask your mother. I was in a band, right honey?” He turns to Brandy. CD couldn’t stop the soft smile from appearing on her face, the interaction reminded her so of the last time she had seen Majesty and Toby, in a little argument about CD having been in a band of not.

Majesty had been vehemently denying BroZone’s existence. Toby, apparently a diehard listener in her younger years, was in favor of the band and CD’s involvement. Majesty had ended it with asking why the band was called BroZone when the leader was a girl. CD and Toby had no answer for her.

”Oh, he was in a band alright.” Brandy offers Bruce a flirtatious look. Branch, Tiny Diamond, and all of the couple’s children gagged. Poppy and CD just share a somewhat awkward look.

”Prove it.” The same child challenges his father. Soon enough, everyone in the building was chanting ‘prove it’.

Sighing, Bruce turns to his only older sibling, who raised an eyebrow with a smirk curling her lips. He sighs again, going to join her on the stage.

He shoves in one of their old tapes, and then they start.

CD is somewhat rusty with performing BroZone’s songs, having only done so once for Toby, which ended with her crying and both of her wives comforting her, but she gets back into the rhythm quick enough.

After a few minutes of performing, she and Bruce look over at Branch, who sighs but joins them, begrudging.

For having been a baby, and not performing this song at all, he fell into the rhythm faster than she did, even taking the lead from her.

They strike a pose, and CD laughs as she backs away from them, wishing she had a piece of paper to write to her lovely wives.

She missed how Branch and Bruce turn to look at her in excitement, only to see the oldest of the group already turning and walking away.

”So, Brandy.” Bruce coughs, turning to his wife. “I know we can get real busy, and I know that—“

CD tunes him out not long after, going to collect the Trolling currently trying to drown himself in nacho cheese. He reminds her of Branch.

”CD, Tiny! Time to go!” Poppy grabs her, and by extension, Tiny Diamond, and they head back to Rhonda.

CD deposits the Trolling down onto his chair, and while the rest of the group backs off to go sit down after giving Rhonda Clay’s scent from the old memorabilia item she had, and leans down to speak to Tiny Diamond.

”Hey, honey.” She coos in a voice that generally sounds exactly like a parent talking to their children. He blessedly doesn’t comment on her habit. “See that button?”

He eyes a button labeled ‘Hustle.’ “Yeah?”

”That beautiful, shiny button?”

“You mean the button that is taking every fiber of my being not to press? I see it.” Now he sounds very, very amped up.

”Press it.” A grin curls her lips, as she held on tight to the chair.

”Oh, heck yeah!” He lunges forward and pressed the button. “Let’s hustle, baby!”

She held on tighter to the chair, looking amusedly back at her guests, who were shouting in surprise and shock.

Chapter Text

After a particularly trippy sequence that was very amusing to watch, as Poppy Seed and Bitty B ended up holed together to stop from ‘falling’ and Bruce getting so lightheaded he had to lean on CD, they ended up in a forest.

Rhonda stops, letting the tag-a-longs calm down as CD gathers Tiny Diamond into her arms.

”Wow. Too much hustle is a thing.” The Queen huffs, helping steady Branch.

”Look at that.” Branch brushes the dirt from his coat. Rhonda growls out of nowhere, and CD backs up a bit. “Are we sure this is where Clay is?”

”Are we sure?” CD blinks, adjusting her hold on Tiny and passing him along to Poppy. “Our GPS is an armadillo bus. So no, we’re not.”

Bruce shivers, eyeing the forest around them. “I think this is the crime scene from every true crime podcast I’ve ever listened to.” CD snorts, patting his shoulder in an attempt to calm him down, as they always did, but Bruce just seems to tense up at the brush of CD’s claws.

”Who goes there?!”

A clown. A clown? What the hell? Why can the clown talk. Distantly, CD hears all the younger Trolls scream, and she tenses in return. “Who dares trespass on these sacred grounds?!”

”Look, look—“ Branch tries to explain. “We’re not here for any clown-related trouble. We’re just here for our brother, Clay.”

”Wait, you’re Trolls?”

”Yes…?”

All of a sudden, the clown mask shoots up, and a pink Troll comes rolling out. “Oh my gosh! Hello!” She screams in excitement, shaking the nearest Troll—Bruce, who looks overwhelmed for a second—in her happiness. “It is so fantamazing to meet you all! My name is Viva!”

CD, sharing a confused look with her brothers, duly notes how similar Viva and Poppy look.

She then relaxes, as Viva explains how ‘fantamazing’ became.

”Fantastamawesome.” Poppy proposes, smiling at the taller Troll.

”Different, but it works.” Viva acquiesces. “Way to make it your own.”

”…Is this how people feel when they meet me?” Poppy whispers to Branch, getting an affirmative in response.

CD snorts, examining her claws as she pats Rhonda to calm the Armadillo Bus down.

”Am I being a lot? Sometimes I can be a lot.” Viva apologizes, as the other Trolls flounder in confusion.

”I…I’m not sure we’re in the right place.” Branch stammers, wringing his paws.

Viva assures them very much that they are, indeed, in the right place, offers them fries and introduces them to the PuttPutt Trolls. Fun name.

And then Clay.

Oh, Clay. CD had always adored him. He looked the most like their father, ironically, where Bruce looked the most like their mother. Clay had their father’s eyes. While CD wasn’t a big fan of their father, she had always encouraged Clay to do as he pleased. The ‘encouragement’ ended up being pressure that he couldn’t handle. She hates herself for it.

“Clay?” Branch blinks in confusion, as the middle second oldest brother appears next to Viva.

”Hey, man! How’s it been? And uh..call me Bruce now. I dropped Spruce a while ago.” Bruce laughs, reaching out to clap a hand on Clay’s back. Clay returns the greeting, paying a compliment to his new name, and then his eyes fell on CD.

All at once, the PuttPutt Trolls focus on the eldest sibling, taking in the sharp claws, her refusal to make eye contact, and her tail flicking around sporadically, her ears twisting to take in any and all noise.

Something about her was wrong, she knew that. Uncanny valley and all that.

“Clay!” CD grins widely, sharp teeth on full display. It’s something she and Branch had always had in common, sharper teeth than other Trolls.

And Clay, refusing to even look her in the eyes, ignores her to see Branch.

”Oh my gosh, Baby Branch!” He surges forward, taking his younger brother in a hug just like CD did those few days ago.

”Uh, it’s Big Branch now.” He says, talking through Clay’s hands on his cheeks. “Or-Or just Branch works.”

Clay just coos, pinching Branch’s cheeks again.

”S-so, this is Poppy.”

”Hi Clay! So great to finally meet you.” Poppy shakes his hand, missing the look Viva shoots her bracelet. Confused, CD looks between them, and then shrugs at Bruce when he looks at her questioningly. “Can you do the Rusty Robot for me?”

Clay raises an eyebrow. “Yeah, no. I don’t do that anymore.”

”Right. Because that would be super awkward if I asked you to do that. Two seconds after meeting you.” Poppy giggles nervously.

”Exactly. This Clay only does the Well-oiled Robot.” He dances a bit, pulling out a somewhat smoother version of his old Robot dance. “And that is no fun.”

”Still seems pretty fun.” Poppy points out.

”Same ol’ Clay.” CD giggles, trying to catch his attention. He still resolutely refuses eye contact, or looking at her at all, as he defends his seriousness.

”Wait, where’s Floyd?” He asks, looking around for his immediate younger brother.

”Uh…that’s why we’re here.” Bruce and CD wince as Branch explains what happened with Floyd, Velvet, and Veneer. Clay, predictably, had the same reaction as Bruce did.

He also brought up the authorities, found out it was a diamond container, and then finally agreed to help them get Floyd back. As long as he was in charge of finances.

CD didn’t know what he was talking about, considering she hunted everything she and Rhonda ate, even hunted for Majesty and Toby as gifts. They had lived off the land for a while. I mean, CD knew expenses and finances, but Rhonda was alive. She didn’t need fuel or gas or anything like that.

”Good.” Branch sighs in relief. “Because we need to head for Mount Rageous, like, now.”

”What? Leave? But you just got here!” Viva protests, looking a fair bit concerned. “Come on, let me show you around!” She grunts in effort to gather all of them in her arms. “Hug time!”

CD flinches away from the hug, unused to affection from anyone but family. Branch, similarly, protests the hug, while Poppy hugs her back. And then Viva brings up Poppy’s bracelet. “Oh, cute! Where’d you get the hug time bracelet?”

”My dad made it for me!”

”Really? Totally unrelated, but is your father King Peppy? And what’s your name again?”

”Retired king, I’m Queen now, but yes. And my name is Poppy!”

Viva giggles, a bit neurotic from what CD can tell. She shares a concerned look with Tiny, pulling the Trolling away from Poppy and handing him off to Branch, who takes him no questions asked. “You’re…you’re alive?”

”I’m alive.” Poppy says, looking at the older girl in confusion.

Oh.

Oh.

Clay and CD seem to come to the same conclusion, and then it hits Bruce, and finally Branch.

”I never thought I’d see you again!” Viva scoops Poppy into a hug. Poppy, confusion evident, pats her awkwardly on the back. “Poppy, it’s me. Viva.”

“…?”

”I’m your sister.”

”My…my what?!”

”Your sister! Your…your hermana!”

”Woah.” The siblings chorus, looking between the sisters.

”Am I the only one without a secret sibling?!” Tiny demands, looking between them all.

”You’re my sister?” Poppy Seed asks, breathless. “What do you mean we’re sisters? Dad never told me I had a sister.”

”That is so…dad.” The sisters chorus, sighing. And then Poppy hugs her back, and they’re talking about things that CD really cannot understand. Awkward, she steps away from the conversation, completely missing as Clay recounted that he was left behind during the escape from Troll Tree, like Viva and every other PuttPutt Troll.

Her eyes roam around, taking in the dodgy looks the runaway Trolls are sending her, the many escape routes and all of that.

And then Bruce is pushing her to Rhonda, Tiny Diamond on his shoulder, as Clay and Branch try to convince Viva to let Poppy come with them.

Finally, finally, CD’s younger brothers and the sisters come into Rhonda, Clay offering goodbyes to he and Viva’s Trolls before Rhonda starts up and Tiny drives them off.

CD, noticing the hesitant—almost afraid—way that Clay looks at her, migrates to the front of the bus and sits with Tiny, allowing her brothers to catch up with Clay.

After all, she had always preferred isolation, and she was all out of her social battery.

Chapter Text

“Okay, okay—“ CD held her paws up, frowning. She knows it’s because Floyd is missing, but something about their singing just feels off. “Stop. Take it from the top.”

Her brothers groan, Poppy looks confused, but CD doesn’t stop. “S—Bruce, need more smolder in those eyes.” Bruce frowns, offended. “Clay, that robot is too rusty,” Clay scoffed, crossing his arms. “Branch, smaller diaper.”

”This is the smallest diaper I could fit in.” Branch, humiliated looking, frowned back.

”Helpful, Cape Dory.” Clay huffs, glaring at her. “I have a creative idea now—stop being bossy!”

CD reeled back. “W-wha? I’m not being bossy!” She tried. “I’m helping us be better!”

”Yes, you are!” The third oldest argued, hands on his hips. “You’re forcing us to be perfect.”

”For Floyd.” CD sputtered, tail lashing. Poppy and Branch are stepping back, both looking off-put.

”Is it?” Bruce butt in, raising an eyebrow. “Or are you just trying to be controlling?” His voice was judgmental, and CD couldn’t stop the feeling that curled in her gut.

”You’re just being the same old Cape Dory.” Bruce sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose like he was a disappointed father and that wasn’t fair. CD had done everything for these boys, had raised them and fed them and defended them and—

“We’ve changed, Cape.” Clay tells her firmly, staring her down. Their eyes meet, and he doesn’t falter even at how shocked CD must look. “Bruce settled down, Branch is a little taller—“ Branch made an offended noise. “And I’m a licensed CPA! Put some respect on my name!”

”I’m the oldest.” CD tries to defend, ignoring how her heart curls and hurts at their accusations. She knows they’re not baseless. “I—I’m not allowed to change. I’m the leader.”

”Maybe you just like bossing people around.” Bruce huffs.

”Guys, this is about Floyd—“ Branch tried to cut in, his ears lowering. His skin was greying alarmingly, but CD’s ears were ringing and her arm was shaking and—

“Exactly, this is about Floyd.”

”You know what, Spruce—“ CD curled her shaking fist.

”It’s Bruce!” Clay cut in, glaring her down.

”Thank you, Clay.” Bruce scowled at CD.

”Well..why do you think I moved to the middle of nowhere?” CD asked, waving an arm around vaguely. “So I didn’t have to boss anyone around! Four little brothers are a lot of work—“ She steadfastly ignores how her voice cracks, or how hurt Branch looks.

CD takes in a deep breath. “…Branch is right. We’re here for Floyd, we get him, we go our separate ways.” And then she can never have to look at their hurt expressions again.

”What?” Branch straightened, and Poppy gasped. Tiny was frowning deeply, upset. “W—what do you mean, leave?”

”You didn’t think we’d live together after this, did you?” CD asks, glancing down to see her own fur greying.

“Maybe I did!” Branch’s arms were shaking too. “Maybe I wanted to be a family again! Tiny Diamond, pull over.” Tiny does so, and CD frowns.

”Don’t be a baby, Branch.” Bruce sighed, again with his disappointed dad act. It makes CD’s chest ache angrily.

”I’m not a baby!” Branch yelled, and his two older brothers step back in shock, while CD covers her face with her shaking arms. “I stopped being a baby the moment you all left and I had no one to take care of me. And then Grandma got eaten and I was alone.” Branch turned on his heel and walked out of Rhonda, who crooned sadly.

With a sad glance at the siblings, Poppy followed, jogging to catch up with her boyfriend.

CD’s fists clench tighter, her glove seemingly tightening. She can’t find it in herself to be mad anymore.

”..Tiny.” CD murmurs, going to gather the Trolling in her arms. Tiny shakes his head, and CD stops, ears falling.

”..Got a bike?” The Trolling asks, and CD nodded, getting it out for him. Tony takes it and disappears out of Rhonda, so CD closes the door and finds herself alone with her two little brothers.

Clay is staring at the board Branch made to find him, frowning, and Bruce is sitting on the couch.

CD heaves a deep breath, heading for the driving seat. She sits, but makes no move to get Rhonda driving yet. And then her brain reboots, and CD straightens right up.

Both of her brothers snap to attention, but CD pays them no mind.

She slams on the gas, hands clenching tightly on Rhonda’s wheel, and they peel out. CD is clenching her teeth, tail lashing in agitation even now.

”…Cape Dory.” Clay says finally. CD doesn’t spare him a glance.

”CD, please. The fridge has some meat in it, have fun with that.” She replies, eyes narrowing. She should write to Majesty and Toby soon.

———————-

CD feels her hackles rise as Velvet tosses her into the diamond prison. The Rageon doesn’t spare her a glance, but CD is growling as loud as she can.

”Floyd!” Bruce and Clay call, and it catches CD’s attention even as she keeps heavy eye contact with Veneer, who looks uneasy at her growling. Finally, CD turns her gaze to Floyd, and her entire demeanor softens.

”Oh, Floyd…” CD made a wounded noise, tail lashing as her heart aches to reach for the second youngest. Floyd smiles shakily back.

”I don’t really see why you’re upset.” Velvet is telling Bruce. “At least we aren’t letting your talents go to waste.”

”You’re sick.” CD scowls, paws clenching angrily. She hopes Majesty and Toby get there soon, she wants to watch Toby punch someone so badly.

”I think you mispronounced ‘Thanks for not letting our talents go to waste Velvet and Veneer.’” The girl bent down to stare CD in the eyes, and to her credit, didn’t look too disturbed when CD launched herself at the Diamond prison’s wall to try and claw her face off, gnashing her teeth angrily. “Come on.” Velvet turns to her brother, who’s eyeing CD’s brothers eagerly. “They’re expecting us on the runway, let’s go sign some butts.”

CD tunes them out, focusing on her brothers, who all seem disturbed by CD’s show.

”…Sorry.” CD murmurs, frowning to herself. Her eyes are trained on Floyd’s body, and her ears are falling and her fur greying by the minute.

Velvet scoffs as she and her brother each grab two of them and shove them in their shoulder pad things. CD spits and hisses angrily, clawing and growling at being separated from her brothers. She can see Bruce, who’s staring out of his prison blankly.

CD zoned out as she’s practically thrown about as Velvet and Veneer move, she’s hissing and clawing at any escape she can, but she knows it’s essentially useless.

Finally, she, Bruce, and Clay are popped out of their shoulder pad placement, but they still have Floyd and he’s looking worse by the second.

CD feels pretty bad herself, her body is shaking and her head is pounding horridly, but she needs to focus on her brothers.

And then very, very familiar heavy footsteps, and a loud guitar.

CD glances over her shoulder and can’t help but beam as the rock music interrupt Velvet and her brother, who falter and turn to stare in shock at the interruption.

There, Toby is running after the car thing they’re one, and on her head is Majesty and her younger sister, Scarlett, who are both playing their guitars as loud as trolly possible.

”Toby!” CD exclaims, excitement brimming. Toby catches sight of CD and her expression lightens considerably, and CD sees her mouth her name. Majesty’s eyes zero in on CD as well, and the Deathmetal Troll grins viscously, all sharp teeth and piercings.

Branch rallies his kind of free siblings together, and CD allows herself a backseat as they save Floyd.

She’s never felt more free than the moment her prison shatters around her and the Rageons see their idols fail.

Branch cradles Floyd in his arms, and CD, Bruce, and Clay are there as well. CD’s trying very hard not to cry, but tears are in her eyes.

”I…I built the hideout, Floyd.” Branch’s voice is cracking like he’s trying really hard not to cry.

”Oh, Floyd…” CD crooned, feeling her tears get worse. “We need you, please…”

”I built it.” Branch repeats, ignoring his sister. “Everything except the water slide.”

”..But…how will we shower…?”

CD gasps, falling back on her haunches and wiping her eyes in relief. Her brothers gather Floyd up in their arms, and CD’s eyes search for her wives and sister-in-law. A glance around reveals Scarlett introducing herself to Vivi, who’s looking more red than pink now. Toby is carefully picking her way over, Majesty in her hand.

The old Troll takes a deep breath as Velvet and Veneer are arrested, because they’re so close that CD can practically smell Toby and Majesty, but Floyd is right there and—

And she has an armful of Deathmetal Troll, and then Scarlett is there too, and she hugs them both.

”Oh, Dory..” Toby murmurs, lowering herself to their level to cradle her family in her giant hands. CD’s brothers all turn to look, even weak little Floyd, but CD can’t help but bite back a happy sob.

”Toby…” CD breaths out, squeezing Majesty and Scarlett tighter.

They’re here, and that’s all CD can ask for. Her whole family is with her, after all. How much better does life get?