Oneshots that take place before Brozone left Branch
Tw for eating disorders and negative body image!!!
Not to be angsty abt a kids movie but this chapter is very self indulgent
Spruce is trying to fight off a pout and losing. He crosses his arms and rests his head on the dinner table. Grandma Rosiepuff is strict about dinner. You don't leave the table until your plate is clean, and as always Spruce is the last one at the table, his plate barely touched. But it's not his fault!! He just.... can't stand eating.
The full plate stares back at him, mockingly. He furrows his brow and pushes it away just barely. He hates it. He can hear JD's stupid voice in his head screaming about his dumb abs and their fans. He can feel his sore stomach from all the crunches he has to do before shows. He can smell all the candy and sweets he's not allowed to have since they're so fattening.
It's not fair. None of his brothers have to stop eating candy or kill themselves exercising. He furiously blinks away tears. This is stupid. He feels like a trolling in timeout sitting at the kitchen table in front of his plate of fruit and nuts.
The worst part is he's not...entirely opposed to the strict diet and exercise routine. If his body changes, trolls might look at him differently. He wouldn't be "the heart throb" anymore. And if he's not the heart throb, does he have a place in the band? Does he have a place in-
His thoughts are cut off by a high little trill and a chubby little paw on his ankle. He looks down to see the baby of the family, softly patting his ankle like a kitty who wants attention.
"Hey there, bitty b." Spruce can't help but smile as he leans down to lift the little guy into his lap.
Branch responds with a little trill and giggle.
"What brings you to this neck of the pod?"
"Missed you!" Branch squeals as he clutches onto Spruce's arm.
"Aw, missed you too, buddy. But you know how Grandma is."
Branch tilts his little head in confusion. Oh right. Branch is a baby and eats all the sweet mush the family feeds him. He wouldn't know about Grandma's rule.
"I can't leave till I finish my plate." He makes a disgusted face at his food.
Branch nods and flaps his little hands "I can help!!! Lemme help!!"
Spruce laughs and pats his little head. "No, bitty b. This food isn't soft enough for you. Thanks though."
Branch's little lip sticks out and his brows furrow, both in frustration and confusion. "But I wanna play with buce..."
Spruce smiles. One day his baby brother will be able to pronounce his name right. "I know, buddy, but this is something I just gotta suck up." His stomach twists at the idea of forcing his food down.
"How come there's so much?" Branch asks, pointing to the plate "You have a tummy ache?"
Spruce's expression fell ever so slightly at the question. How do you explain to a baby that you just...hate eating and contantly stress over how your body looks. "Something like that, bluebird."
Branch nods and reaches his little paw out to rub Spruce's tummy.
"Gamma rubs my tummy when I have a tummy ache!"
Spruce can't help but smile at the gesture "Thanks, bluebird."
"When your tummy stops hurting, we can eat and get strong!! Gamma says you gotta eat to get strong and grow tall."
Spruce lets out a sigh mixed with a laugh, his heart feeling just a little lighter. Maybe he could manage a few bites if it was for his baby brother. "Well, I gotta get taller than John Dory, so I better get started."
"You feel better?"
"Yeah, bitty B, thanks."
Branch smiles brightly, clapping to himself.
With lots of deep breaths, clumsy baby hands shoving food in his face, and hiding a few nuts and fruit in his pockets, Spruce's plate was clean. Spruce rejoices and hefts baby Branch into his arms as he stands. He tosses Branch into the air, catching him easily. Branch squeals with delight and giggles in Spruce's arms.
Grandma Rosiepuff, hearing the commotion as she gathers laundry from the clothes line, yells to the boys "That plate better be clean, baby!!"
"It is, Grandma! Promise!" Spruce yells back, giving Branch another toss.
"Alright, honey. Go on, then."
Spruce pumps his fist in excitement, and jumps a little. He's finally free for the night.
"Come on, bitty b. We haven't played in a while."
Branch smiles in surprise! Of all his brothers, Spruce rarely plays with him, so this is a special treat. But he deserves it since, unknown to him, he saved Spruce another night with an empty stomach and hunger pains.
"Can we do a puzzle?"
"We can do whatever you want, B."
Branch cheers as Spruce carries him to his toy chest.
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