Chapter Text
Floyd cocked his head as he spotted Clay approaching the stall, a carefree smile on his face. In one hand, he carried a shopping bag; in the other, a neatly wrapped gift.
As Clay drew closer, Floyd arched an eyebrow, his lips quirking into a lopsided grin. “What did you buy this time?”
Clay’s grin widened, his expression practically radiating pride. “Books. I actually listened to Branch for once, found a bookstore nearby, and… well, I lost track of time. Was I gone too long?”
Floyd gave an indifferent shrug. “No idea. I wasn’t here when you left.” His gaze flicked to the package in Clay’s hand. “And what’s that?”
Clay glanced down at the gift, as if only now remembering it. “Oh, this? It’s a book I got for Branch. Something about survival in the wilderness—figured she’d like it.”
Floyd studied him, nodding slowly. “Uh-huh. And you just happened to buy her a book, out of the blue?”
Clay’s brow furrowed, his stance shifting slightly. “Yeah. I saw it, thought of my sister, and figured she’d appreciate it.”
Floyd let out a quiet chuckle, his voice laced with knowing amusement. “Or maybe you feel guilty for yelling at her like a lunatic and think a book will make up for it.”
Clay snorted, pressing his lips into a thin line before replying, “That’s not the point. I got Branch the book because I love her, and I want her to know I’m thinking about her. Not because I expect it to buy me forgiveness.”
Floyd held his gaze for a beat, as if weighing his sincerity, then smirked, mischief sparking in his eyes. “Sure, sure. Although, let’s be honest—it wouldn’t be the first time you tried smoothing things over with a gift.”
Clay narrowed his eyes, his smile never fading. “Maybe what really bothers you is the thought that Branch might see me as the more attentive brother—and end up choosing me as her favorite.”
Floyd let out a dry laugh, shaking his head. “Clay, you can try all you want, but you don’t stand a chance. I’m Branch’s favorite brother, and everyone knows it.”
Clay arched an eyebrow, his smile turning smug. “You think so? Well, we’ll see when Branch gets my gift and—”
“And she tells you that you don’t need to buy her things to earn her love or forgiveness,” Floyd cut in, crossing his arms in triumph. “Besides, if you think a survival book is enough to dethrone me as the favorite, you seriously underestimate my relationship with Branch.”
Clay chuckled, adjusting the shopping bag in his hand. “I’m not underestimating anything, Floyd. I’m just saying maybe you should start worrying. After all, I’m the one thinking about Branch’s interests—not just bragging about being her favorite.”
Floyd leaned forward, resting his elbows on the booth counter. “Oh, yeah? Is that a challenge? Because if it is, I’m more than happy to accept.”
Clay raised his hands in mock innocence. “It’s not a challenge—just an observation. But if you want to take it that way, I won’t stop you.”
Floyd’s smirk widened, a competitive gleam in his eyes. “All right, then. Let’s see who can impress our sister the most. Just know—it won’t be easy for you.”
Clay nodded, grinning as if he’d planned this all along. “I wouldn’t want it to be.”
Floyd let out a light laugh, but beneath it was an unshakable confidence. “It’s a shame you hate being called the ‘fun’ brother. Because to my sapphire, my sense of humor is as sweet a tune as her laughter.”
Clay scoffed. “Branch is always an exception to the rule, and you know it. I love making her laugh.”
Floyd shrugged. “I’m just saying—while you scold Branch for grading the beauty of strangers, I make her laugh by joking about canceling her engagement. I don’t just assume I’m Branch’s favorite brother, Clay—I am. And you know it.”
Before Clay could fire back, the sound of a vibrating phone cut through the conversation. He pulled it from his pocket, glancing at the screen. The name “JD” flashed across it—an incoming video call.
“Huh. Our brother,” Clay muttered, somewhere between curiosity and resignation.
“Well? What are you waiting for? Answer it,” Floyd urged, arching an eyebrow.
Clay swiped to accept the call, and Floyd shifted to his side, leaning in just enough to fit into the frame.
“Hey, JD,” they greeted in unison.
On the screen, John Dory’s familiar smile appeared, brimming with the boundless energy that always seemed excessive for a casual video call.
“Hey, baby brothers! How’s everything over there?”
“Everything’s great,” Clay replied, while Floyd gave a nonchalant nod.
“My Bluebell told me the same thing. Good to have it confirmed.” John Dory paused, squinting at the screen as if searching for something. “Speaking of which… where’s my baby girl?”
Floyd and Clay exchanged a brief glance before the younger brother answered. “Branch is out exploring. She’s been working a lot lately—figured she deserved a break.”
John Dory nodded slowly, though unease lingered in his expression. “I see… but did you really let her go alone?”
Floyd snorted, crossing his arms. “John, Branch isn’t a child. She knows how to take care of herself just fine.”
“Besides, you know how she is,” Clay added in a calm tone. “She enjoys her breaks more when no one’s hovering over her.”
John hesitated, as if trying to convince himself, then sighed. “I guess you’re right… but still. Take care of her, okay? I know you already do, but I can’t help worrying about my Bluebell.”
Floyd offered a confident smile, one that felt almost rehearsed. “We know. She’s in good hands. Rhonda too, before you start worrying about your other baby girl. And come on, John, you of all people know Branch means the world to us.”
“And we’ll make sure she doesn’t get into trouble or do anything to jeopardize her engagement,” Clay added, his tone turning serious.
Immediately, Floyd shot him a sharp look, his expression hardening. “Right. Because yelling at her yesterday was the perfect way to show that.”
John Dory, who had been nodding along, suddenly went still. His face darkened. “What did you just say, Floyd?” His voice was dangerously calm as he turned to Clay. “Did you yell at my beautiful Bluebell?”
Before Clay could respond, an outraged voice erupted from somewhere offscreen. “We’ve only ever raised our voices at Branch a handful of times, and that was when she was a child, Clay Chordwell!”
Bruce’s unmistakable tone carried through the speaker, loud and indignant. John Dory nodded approvingly, arms crossed like a father ready to lecture.
Clay ran a hand through his hair, exasperated. “It wasn’t like you’re making it sound. I raised my voice because Branch was being completely irrational!”
“Irrational?” John repeated, incredulous. “Do you have any idea how irrational you sound right now? Who do you think you are to yell at my little girl?”
Floyd, never one to waste an opportunity, smirked as he added fuel to the fire. “That’s what I told him. But no, according to Clay, it was necessary to ‘set boundaries.’”
Clay pursed his lips, irritation clear in his expression. “It wasn’t like that! I was trying to reason with Branch and—”
“And you lost your patience?” Floyd cut in, crossing his arms.
Bruce, now standing beside John, watched with a mix of exasperation and amusement.
“Because if that’s the case, Clay, you’re going to need more than a survival book to fix this.” Floyd turned to his older brothers, gesturing dramatically. “All of this because Branch and I were rating strangers who walked past the festival booth from one to ten, and Clay decided that somehow equated to… infidelity.”
Bruce snorted, rolling his eyes. “Oh, please, Clay. Branch wasn’t doing anything wrong. Our sister—engaged or not—doesn’t even know who her fiancé is. Do you really think giving out numbers to strangers makes her unfaithful?”
Clay’s fists clenched, but before he could fire back, John lifted a hand, his tone firm and non-negotiable. “You’d better apologize.”
“I already did.” Clay met his gaze, his voice steady but tinged with weariness. “We talked, and everything’s fine between us.”
John studied him for a long moment before nodding. “You’d better have. And I’m warning you, Clay Chordwell—if I hear anything like this again, I won’t hesitate to drive down there and settle it in person.”
Floyd, never one to let an opportunity slip, grinned. “No need, JD. I’ve got everything under control. Besides, Clay keeps giving my sapphire more reasons to pick me as her favorite brother.”
John rolled his eyes, though a small smile tugged at his lips. “Don’t start, Floyd. We all know the real favorite brother is me.”
“Shut up!” Bruce huffed, crossing his arms in mock defiance. “Even if you two won’t admit it, we all know your relationship with Branch is more father-daughter than brother-sister. So, technically, you’re not even part of the competition, John Dory.”
The comment earned a chuckle from Floyd and Clay, while John’s face tinged slightly red as he averted his gaze.
“Whatever.” John cleared his throat, shifting back to a more serious tone. “Branch is proving to be the responsible woman I always knew she’d be. Let her enjoy the festival, okay?”
Floyd’s playful demeanor faded, his expression turning somber. “She’s not happy about the engagement, JD.”
John grimaced, avoiding his brothers’ gazes as Bruce stepped in. “We know.”
Floyd crossed his arms, studying them both. “And there’s really no way to call it off?”
John exhaled slowly, shaking his head. “No. Believe me, I’ve thought about it recently, but it’s too late now. Maybe in the beginning, when Peppy was still hesitant about the marriage contract… maybe there was a chance.”
“But he changed his mind?” Clay asked, his brow furrowed, his tone caught between curiosity and frustration.
John hesitated before nodding, as if the words carried more weight than he wanted to admit. “Peppy realized the engagement has brought huge benefits to both families. So much so that…” He let out a long sigh, then continued, “he wants the wedding preparations to begin as soon as possible.”
Bruce grimaced. “Once you return from the festival, it won’t be long before Branch and Poppy are finally married.”
A heavy silence settled over the younger brothers until Clay broke it, his voice tinged with disbelief. “So that means…”
“That means Branch is living out her last days of freedom,” Floyd finished, his voice resigned, his gaze fixed on the horizon—as if searching for a solution that wasn’t there.
On the other end of the call, John and Bruce nodded, their expressions mirroring the same helplessness.
John finally spoke, his voice steady but strained. “That’s right. That’s why I need you to let her be happy and free while she still can.”
Bruce smirked, though his tone carried an underlying warning. “Just make sure Branch is safe and sound—or JD will lose his mind before he kills you.”
“Understood,” Floyd and Clay replied in unison.
John gave them a warm but weary smile. “Take care. We love you.”
Bruce chuckled lightly, though it did little to lift the weight in the air. “But take better care of Branch—if you value your lives.”
Floyd rolled his eyes, while Clay forced a small smile. “We love you too.”
The call ended, leaving behind a silence that seemed to press against them. Floyd and Clay remained still, each lost in thought. They both knew it—Branch’s fate was slipping further out of her hands.
*************************
Smidge, Branch, and Poppy had just finished lunch when the sapphire-eyed girl excused herself to go to the restroom, leaving the best friends alone. Silence settled between them, but the way their gazes met spoke volumes.
“I have to admit, I like Brandy,” Smidge finally broke the quiet, offering a small smile as she looked at Poppy.
He rested his chin on his hand, sighing dreamily as his eyes followed the path Branch had taken. “I told you, she’s great.”
Smidge wrinkled her nose at his smitten tone. “Just don’t forget—this is temporary. She’s not yours.”
Poppy’s brows furrowed slightly, but he kept his voice even. “Please, just let me enjoy the moment.”
Smidge nodded, though a flicker of concern remained in her eyes. They both fell into thoughtful silence until Branch returned. She stopped mid-step, her sapphire gaze shifting between them, sensing the lingering tension.
"Everything okay?" she asked, a note of curiosity in her voice.
Smidge was quick to flash a reassuring smile. “Of course! I just asked one of those deep, philosophical questions that make you think… nothing to worry about.”
Poppy nodded, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Exactly, nothing serious.”
Branch gave them a skeptical look but chose not to press. “Well, this was nice, but I have to get back to work.”
“So soon?” Poppy whined, exaggerating a pout in an attempt to sway her.
“Why don’t you come out with us tomorrow?” Smidge suggested suddenly, her enthusiasm catching Branch off guard.
Branch blinked in surprise before offering a shy smile. “You’re not tired of my company yet?”
“Not at all!” Poppy blurted out, eyes lighting up. He then gestured toward his best friend with amusement. “In fact, Smidge was just saying how much she’s starting to like you.”
“He’s not lying,” Smidge confirmed, nodding with a grin.
Branch laughed softly, feeling more at ease. “I'm starting to like you guys too, but—”
“But what?” Smidge narrowed her eyes, feigning suspicion. “I hope you're not looking for an excuse, Brandy, because Poppy can be ridiculously persistent when he sets his mind to something.”
Poppy folded his arms, flashing a confident grin. “And right now, spending more time with you is one of my top priorities.”
Branch arched an eyebrow, clearly amused. Her smile was subtle but genuine as she watched them, as if they were two children scheming against her.
Finally, she let out a small sigh, though the playful glint in her eyes gave her away. “Fine, we can go to one of the concerts together.”
Smidge's face lit up. “There's a techno concert I’ve been dying to check out!”
“I know exactly which one you mean,” Poppy said eagerly, turning to Branch with an expectant look.
Branch chuckled at their enthusiasm. “Sounds perfect to me. I’ll meet you there tomorrow.”
Before they could rope her into discussing more details, she pushed back her chair and stood up. “It was a pleasure spending time with you.”
“Goodbye, Brandy!” Poppy crooned, waving dramatically.
“See you tomorrow—don’t even think about standing us up!” Smidge added with a teasing smile.
As Branch stepped out of the café, her pace quickened, but her smile lingered. Her day was far from over, yet the thought of an evening filled with music and good company gave her something to look forward to.
Poppy and Smidge remained seated, watching as Branch disappeared down the street.
“You know,” Poppy mused, swirling the last of his drink before taking a sip, “I think Brandy is really starting to enjoy spending time with us.”
“Of course she is,” Smidge said confidently, leaning back in her chair. “I mean, let’s be honest—who wouldn’t?”
They both laughed, the warmth of their camaraderie settling between them. Tomorrow would be another day, and with the sapphire-eyed girl in their plans, it promised to be even more memorable.