Staring up at the stars with a backpack slung over the shoulder, a familiar young troll paused in front of the cage bars. His teal hair and blue skin remained muted under the darkness of night. Pulling up the orange framed goggles from his eyes regret swam in his blue pools of eyes. Sighing his heart gained more weight by the second. Despite the darkness the moonlight shifted towards the bars placing a spotlight on the adventuring troll. He could see his reflection in the bars.

" What am I doing? John Dory,you IDIOT!STUPID! Stupid...stupid..." The troll face palmed.

The impact of his palm making contact with his forehead left no bruising. Minor sting spread out as the forceful hand drifted away. Mixing with an unfortunately timed headache both the sting and ache attempted to steal some spotlight of the moment. Hissing slightly the odd tiny being pushed past the pain. Guilt laced his crinkling and tired features acting as a stronger drug. Neither were wanted or welcomed but, the regret walked right in anyway.

"They need me..." He uttered softly remorseful.

Grabbing both straps of the backpack the now named new adult turned around walking straight back to the Troll Tree. Most of the pods lights were out for the night. Probably due to their inhabitants sleeping. The eerie silence crept around every inch in the cage. Nobody could escape the dread of this prison. Even when the Bergens were out of sight.

Launching his extending teal it gripped around a firm and solid branch. John steadily swung himself up into the leaves landing before his grandmother's pod. The lights were still on. Windows opened and so was the door. A elderly woman sat at the table playing a card game with a 2 year old toddler. The toddler played with his little round white framed glasses until he looked up. Eyes widening the blue trolling gasped dropping the glasses on the table.

" John!" He pointed out.

The grandma put down her deck of freshly shuffled cards calmly. Her lighter green hair with grey strands brightens with hope. John let go of the tree allowing his hair to restore to its original state. However he didn't step forward. Almost like for a moment in time he froze once more. His eyes searched for any signs of his brothers hoping they hadn't decided to make the same foolish mistake as him. Pumping to an uncomfortable off key beat his heart insisted on being heard.

" Floyd! Dory back! He back." The blue trolling squealed running off.

Relief washed over the eldest sibling at the mention of one of his other brothers still being there. Nervousness still kicked in while John stepped forward regaining some courage. He walked through the door and knocked hesitantly. Inside the lit pod was his dear Grandma Rosiepuff smiling relieved at him. The third youngest brother named Floyd sitting on the couch stared at him. And lastly but not the least the little toddler named Branch running towards him for a hug. His baby brother.

Branch hugged John's legs. " You're back..."

Branch and Floyd looked similar to John. Same odd round and yet bent ear shape,same purple nose and face shape. However Branch had Royal Sapphire hair while Floyd bore Bright Pink with pink eyes. Branch's eyes shared the same blueness as John. Wiping his tiny nose against John's white pants the little one eventually looked up with sad adoring eyes. That gaze broke John further. Immediately dropped his bag to the floor he crouched down to pick his baby brother up.

" I'm not going anywhere. " John promised. " I'm sorry..." He looked up at Floyd. "I needed some fresh air..."

Branch hugged his older brother's neck resting his head on his chest. The soft calmer beating of his heart soothed the trolling enough for him to close his eyes. A yawn escaped Branch as John gently rubbed his back over the green leaf vest Floyd always worn now on Branch.

Floyd nodded his head understandingly. Being the sensitive one of the group made him as an thirteen year old many things. A listener, emotional support, a pep talk giver and even a therapist once or twice. Not something anyone his age should be but, considering the Timberlake family's current state everyone had to step up into some role. Even their Baby Branch who joined the family band at one years old. Honestly the dynamic was starting to wear him down.

Floyd scratched his neck. " I get it. "

John walked over and sat down next to his brother. " Where's Spruce and Clay?"

" They needed some fresh air too. " Floyd bit the inside of his cheek.

" They'll come back soon. You and them always do, Johnny." Rosiepuff chimes in.

It was true. Even after their biggest fights they would leave then come back but, John wasn't optimistic this time around. He did in fact almost actually leave. He attempted to abandon his family. What kind of monster was he? It was just him, Grandma and his bros. They had nobody else. Grandma wasn't making enough to support them. While sure the family boy band act was making them the most right now it was also dividing them. They couldn't just drop their careers either or they might lose their home again. Not to mention it was keeping his other brothers in school even if it was part time.

" I'm sorry for being so-... Rough... On you earlier. I didn't mean it. I was just going crazy and flew off again. What is going on with me has nothing to do with you,Floyd or Branch or Spruce or Clay." John apologized.

" I know. You never do. I forgive you. Maybe next time you feel that way just take a break from us instead? " Floyd squeezed John's shoulder.

" Just punch me if I do it again."

Floyd retracted his hand. " Spruce and Clay would. Not me so no. Tell them that."

" The last thing you four need is a reason to hit each other. Not under my roof. Not again!" Rosiepuff glared picking up a wooden spoon.

The sight of the spoon sent alarms in both Floyd and John Dory but, mostly Dory. Both boys stiffened straightening their backs. Branch began to softly snore oblivious to what was happening around him. That wooden spoon and Rosie's slippers which she rarely even wore had a choke hold on the older Brozone members. The power of those items... At least the spoon only flew. The slippers were a level ten threat with better accuracy when flying.

" I'm sorry,Grandma." John apologized on instinct.

" You're an adult, Peach fuzz." Grandma Rosiepuff reminded as a sign he was too old for the spoon.

The next morning the sun woke up transforming the sky from dusk to blue. Up in the shared bedroom for all 5 siblings, Branch cuddled with his soft toy friend while laying on top of Dory's chest still. The blue plush crocodile smiled in Floyd's direction. He was also sleeping in his big brother's bed. Rising soft zoom sound of the window seal filled the room as two blue came into view.

First a foot then leg and lastly a tumble... Resulting in crashing and face planting into the carpet. The sudden thump bounced off the walls telling on him instantly more than the fall. The yellow haired version of John, Floyd and Branch groaned,disturbing the peaceful sleep of his brothers.

Floyd jumped up panicked panting as his eyes darted to the floor. Settling on Clay's claim of the carpet the younger one raised an eyebrow confused. Branch lifted his head blinking like a cat. The blue troll stayed in JD's arms still welcoming the warmth of the snuggle. Yawning cutely the tiny one sat up then climbed over to Floyd for a hug blissful aware of Clay's status to the floor.

" Mother Elf..." Clay grumbled getting up.

Floyd covered Branch's ears at "Elf" gasping at the swear. The most offensive word in the dictionary as far as he was concerned. Clay froze slowly turning to see Floyd and Bitty B sat on the pink one's lap. Branch's delayed frog blink, sleepy grin and wild hair were followed by the cutest yawn. Floyd however had an mean glare and bearing teeth paired with his less crazy mane. JD just had the same old expected bags underneath his shut eyes, little bit of drool on the edge of his lips and a hand feeling for the missing trolling that was once in his arms.

" Language!" Floyd scowled.

" English!" John shot up finally waking up.

A purple haired version of them wearing an navy hoodie over his purple vest opened the bedroom door louder than he should had. However his actions didn't bear the usual consequences of being noisy with the door. Everyone was already awake so it didn't matter. Annoyance painted his cold glare but, lighten a little their sweet Baby B climbed out of bed and ran to him. Just like Branch did with JD, the little one hugged his other older brother's leg.

" Spruce." Branch yawned.

" Hey Bitty B. Missed me?" Spruce picked him up.

"I missed your pancakes." Branch uttered sleepy.

Despite the tension the youngest member calmed the tension with his cuteness. Clay smiled shaking his head playfully. Floyd swung his legs off the edge of the bottom bunk bed holding back a chuckle at Branch's honesty. Spruce laughed adoringly pulling Branch closer for a brief snuggle. John opened his mouth to say something but, nothing came out. Having no words at the moment he shut it hoping to not ruin the moment with his presence or voice.

Rubbing his tired eyes JD silently counted all of his brothers. Spruce,Floyd,Clay and Branch. All of them were really there. He owed them a better apology. A real apology backed up with change. The guilt of having been proving that he was ready to walk out over a stupid, self centered perfection based argument stabbed his soul repeatedly. They needed to change. John needed to change. He sighed scratching the back of his as his gaze met with Clay and Spruce. Their fondness died when they caught Dory looking at them.

" Boys! Breakfast. I made mixed berry waffles. With Chocolate sauce and sprinkles. Your favorite." Rosiepuff called out from downstairs sweetly.

" I- " John started.

" Save it for after we eat." Spruce interrupted.