*thinks about these and cries*
Naturally makes me think of a possible AU, one of those Caretaker!John- only, tragically, he doesn't remain in his caretaker role for long;;
in the canon, the assumption is made that Clay either stayed in the Tree -as it is basically a big city- or returned just about as the works on the tunnels were done and the Pop Trolls were escaping
So working with the theory that Clay actually stayed in the tree, imagine if John never actually left; the night when he said he was going solo he did grapple himself out of the pod, but basically just climbed the tree to the very top to look up at the stars, and breathe and sulk, and decided to sleep there
Then returned the next day to the pod and to his unease realized that all his brothers didn't return yet. Thinking they were off on their own sulk (as I doubt the bad had its breakups on the regular), he gave them a day before going to look for them- and only then found out that both Bruce and Floyd actually left
He hears about Clay being present from the pipeline, and is relieved- but that relief pretty soon fades out into anger, as here he spent at least two weeks looking for him
Confrontation occurs and it doesn't end well at all- and actually prompts Clay to storm off again, only this time he leaves the tree (apparently) for good, leavíng John as the only caretaker present for Branch
Events pretty much lineup with canon after that- Rosiepuff still dies, Branch still turns grey
Then the day of the escape happens.
While running through the tunnels, John thinks he sees Clay, which has him lag behind, sending Branch ahead
The sepparation happens, with cave ins on both sides, and with John ending up with Viva's group
Essentially, PuttPutt!John AU? XD;;
With the lovely addition of guilt thinking he just let two of his younger brothers die in the escape
that certainly gives him something to bond with Viva over
