Blood or Bonds?

4

Bruce never expected to see any of his brothers

Correction, he never expected to see his youngest brother.

But there he was in a new band and … he's grown

At first, he thought it was a joke his daughter was talking about going, and he hated boy bands

(He didn't want to go through that again)

But then he saw they were performing in his restaurant. He had to tolerate it because his wife agreed without him. Then he saw the names

Boom, Ablaze, Hype and Trickee normal names, but the last one, Branch that name made him pause. It could be a coincidence that no one shares that name.

But there he was a beautiful Blue like his own his hair how when the light hits it turns purple like his hair and that angelic voice

It's him

Bitty B

He grew so much and God he's such a Dad and his daughter says he's her favorite that's a talk he needs to tell her that's her Uncle

It was fine until they locked eyes and Bruce can tell Branch knew who he was

The rest of the show made him stiff and nervous, their eyes continue to lock until it was over

Bruce went to Brandy “That's him” Brandy looked confused “My Baby Brother” Brandy looked surprised as she gently lifted him “Honey talk to him before you have any regrets”

Bruce nodded as he ran out the restaurant and knocked into the caterbus

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The moment the show ended, Branch ran back into the caterbus trying not to cry

Why?

Why now did he have to see one of his brothers

He was just fine with his new family and a girlfriend now

Can't life just let him be in peace, he felt his brother's hands on his shoulder “B are you okay?” Branch just shook his head.

“I saw him” Everyone looked at each other, “Who?” Ablaze asked “Spruce” Everyone froze at that “He's here? How?” Boom asked until they heard a knock. Hype looked at everyone and opened the door and saw a long purple haired troll that was a bit full.

But his face, nose and color reminded him of Branch. “And you are?” Hype asked “Br- oh wait um Spruce” Hype was about to tell him to leave until.

“This is my talk Hype” Branch said, his eyes were still puffy as he and Spruce locked eyes. “Let's go somewhere more private, do you know a place?”

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Branch and Bruce just kind of sat in silence in the quiet part of the beach. “Bit-” “My names Branch not Bitty B” Branch said with a bit of poison in his voice and Spruce backed off

“Branch you're alive” Bruce said happily “Yeah no, thanks to Grandma and not you four” Branch said as Bruce's ears dropped “Listen I had to get-” “No you listen!” Branch wasn't dealing with this.

“I lost Grandma when I was 7, and I almost went gray had the fact I did not have my friends I would have” Branch took a deep breath “All my childhood I spent waiting for all four of you a promise only one of you made, but I waited then I stopped, and you know why?” Branch looked at Bruce.

“Because I made new friends I call my brothers.” Branch looked at Bruce in the eyes and sighed as he looked away “John pushed you, but that didn't mean you had to leave. I was a baby” Branch hugged himself as Bruce hugged Branch

“I tried going back, but I was stopped” Bruce said “Everyone told me the tree was dead and all the Bergen's were unhappy, so I assumed you died. I made a shrine for you and Grandma” Bruce looked at Branch as they both locked eyes.

“I wanted to, but hearing that devastated me and especially after I had Bruce Jr.” Bruce said as Branch cocked his head “But-” “I've changed my name. I wanted to put it behind not think about the Heartthrob”.

“Sp-Bruce so creative you just changed the Sp” Branch joked as he looked away and looked at the Moon now rising “Branch give me another chance please” Bruce pleaded “This time I've grown. I know I was in the wrong. I want to be your big brother” Bruce looked at Branch who turned around and left

Until Branch turned around with tears and ran into Bruce “You have no idea how long I wanted to hear that” Bruce picked up Branch as he gave him a bear hug “I promise I won't leave you ever Branch”

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They spent the whole day talking as Branch learned about his nephew and niece and Bruce learned of Branch's new girlfriend and his bandmates

Bruce didn't like it when he called them brother, but they all earned that right. He's still working on it. As Branch was about to enter the caterbus he gave Bruce a map.

“If you ever want to visit and on the side is our other shows were finishing up in Troll Village I made a song, so I hope I can see you there” Branch said “I'll t- Be there I promise” Branch smiled as he went inside

There, Branch closed the door and exhaled and everyone saw him and asked if he was okay because Branch was crying

“No these are happy tears guys” Hype was confused “Bruce and I talked and we're brothers again.” Boom looked happy “That's great B” Ablaze and Hype, along with Trickee all looked sad and Branch picked up on it

“Don't worry, you guys are still my brothers” the three exhaled as Ablaze looked at Branch “B I don't want to be negative, But-” “Don't worry Ablaze I know”

Everyone looked at Branch and saw him smile the biggest smile they've seen, and they won't take that away if they hurt him again their here, and they won't pull any punches.