the stars where we’re livin’
𖤣.𖥧.𖡼.⚘
It took a week for Clay to finally calm down enough to return to their pod
(Clay takes care of Branch AU)
𖤣.𖥧.𖡼.⚘
Chapter 1: Returning Home
𖤣.𖥧.𖡼.⚘
First chapter of this story! I’m going to be posting it on ao3 under the same name <3
(also @elijah-doodle :P)
𖤣.𖥧.𖡼.⚘
After spending the week at a friend's pod, Clay was calm enough to return home.
Upon entering the pod, he was shocked to see his Grandma sitting on the couch looking haggard and tired; her mint hair in disarray, deep bags under her eyes, and a frown pulling at the corners of her mouth.
“Grandma?” Clay hesitantly whispers, flinching back when she springs up at his voice. He’s even more shocked when tears fill her eyes as she rushes forward to pull him into a hug.
“Clay, baby- my baby,” Grandma Ro murmurs into his hair, squeezing him as close as she can. Feeling the way she shakes, Clay wraps his arms around her.
Soon, she leans back, keeping one paw on his shoulder while the other cups his face. Mint eyes check him over, tears steadily falling down her face. She lets out a relieved sob, causing him to panic and throw his arms back around her, which prompts Grandma Ro to let out all of the tears she’s been trying to hold back.
Eventually, the sobs come to a gradual stop and, even though Clay feels uncomfortable with all the moisture accumulating in his hair, Clay guides her back to the couch. Grandma Ro keeps her paws wrapped tightly around one of Clay’s own like she’s afraid to let go.
“I’m sorry I was gone for so long,” Clay says, unsure where to go after that.
Usually, when he and his brothers have huge fights that lead to them walking out of the pod, Clay will spend a day or two at a friend's. But this time, with the first show of the tour, the “Perfect Family Harmony”, quitting the band, and a bunch of tiny stuff that piled up over time, Clay felt like he was too wound up to return home - worried he’d lash out even more.
Clay takes a deep breath, keeping his focus on the small stain on his wristband, then tries to explain all that to Grandma Ro, “I swear, I meant to come back sooner, but I- it just-“ He cuts himself off when one of Grandma Ro’s paws cups his cheek, tilting his head up to look at her tear-filled eyes.
“Oh, sunshine, I’m just glad you’re here.”
His brows scrunch together in confusion, there’s definitely something more to those words.
“Roro?”
His Grandma sighs, removing her paw from his face to run through her hair, “I thought it was just another one of your fights and everyone would be back in a few days,” She starts, Clay’s shoulders slowly coming up to his ears as dread builds in his chest, “Meadow told me that you were staying with her and Karma, so I knew you were somewhere safe, but no one could find your brothers.”
The building dread falls into his stomach before trying to claw out of him through his throat.
She takes a deep breath, just like Clay had to earlier, “Astrantia asked around, and some Trolls say they saw John, Spruce, and Floyd escaping after the show.”
Clay pulls his paw away, curling into himself, his breath coming and leaving him too fast.
His brothers are gone? They actually left?
Okay, Clay doesn’t want to continue being in the band, but that doesn’t mean he wants his brothers gone.
And sure, he’s thought about escaping the Tree before- but not without them!
The fact that John, Spruce, and Floyd actually left-
Clay jumps up from the couch, his breath coming even faster, “B- Branch- Where’s Branch?”
Grandma Ro said no one could find his brothers - it was only until the Head Guard asked around that some Trolls say they saw three of them escape - but she never mentioned Branch.
Is Branch just wandering around after the fight? Looking for them?
What if he lost his glasses? What if he’s hurt? What if a Bergen finds him? What if-
“Clay?”
The voice, and two small arms wrapping around his leg, bring him back to himself.
Clay’s paws are clenched at the roots of his hair, a dull pain thrumming through his head and fists, his tail is curled tightly around his leg, tears are streaming down his face, and his chest aches with each rapid breath he takes in.
Clay looks down at the voice, releasing his hair, he scoops up the Trolling and collapses onto his knees. He sobs into Branch’s hair, just like his Grandma did to him minutes ago.
Grandma Ro kneels beside him, making sure to give him space until he says otherwise.
𖤣.𖥧.𖡼.⚘
Clay’s back!
Grandma said Clay was still in the Tree, but Branch was worried his big brother was still upset he ruined the show- but he’s back!
That means there’s a chance Johnny and Spruce might come back too! And Floyd already promised he’d come back!
Branch wraps his arms around Clay’s neck, nuzzling against his jaw and trying to mimic the comforting coos and trills Grandma had been making to Branch all week.
Even as he tries to comfort his big brother, Branch can’t help but wag his tail in joy.
𖤣.𖥧.𖡼.⚘