Sitting at the square counter bar Branch tinkered with an empty version of a smoke bomb. His full bright and blue colouring was fully restored but, his hair appeared more navy than sapphire at the moment.
A pair of silver metallic frame magnifying goggles with black stretching band rested firm around his head over his blue eyes. It was a transparent ball with a metallic seal and brace and there were three loose copper wires being installed. These wires were green,white and blue. Using his screwdriver Branch guided the wires in place. His fluffy tails wagged, swayed and danced  behind him in the air to the music playing from the ratio.

" What ya working on?" Boom said.

Joining his friend under the white and golden warm light of the bar, Boom sat down beside Branch's right side. Most of the bar seats were open but, Boom preferred to be closer to other members of Kismet. Resting his elbow on that counter the glitter troll leaned the side of his face into his open palm. Ablaze took to Branch's left sitting with his back facing the bar leaning back as he watched Hype and Trickee.

" Just a little something to keep the Shadow Walkers away from our Tree and Critter Den. Maybe a couple traps. Smoke bombs aren't always gonna cut it." Branch said

" Kay. Cool. What's it going to do when it's done?" Boom tilted his head.

" Harness the power of the Arcane crystals with a flash of light and ZAP! They burn away on the spot." Branch explained confidently.

" So a Flash Bomb?" Ablaze turned himself around.

Ablaze placed his glass of Stoutberry juice on the bar counter. He glanced down at Branch's project at work. Branch pulled up his goggles to rest on his forehead. Hype folded his wings taking a seat next to Ablaze. The bartender, Mister Vander, slid a fresh and tall glass of giggleyum juice. Catching the sliding glass Hype smiled nodding his head acknowledgement.

" I still owe ya one,Vander." Hype chuckled.

" Just swing by tomorrow and watch Violet and Powder for me then I'll call us even. Those smart girls are always trying something. Vi especially. Hard to not adore it though. " Mister Vander smiled.

The pub ,Jin of Hope, was not very active considering how the only patrons were the Arcane Enforcers,a child and their mother in a booth and a lesbian couple in the back. This pub was more a place where folks of all kinds could come in,get a drink, order a meal and work on a personal project. It was more peaceful and easy going when compared to its only competitor, Sugar Rush. That pub specifically was more focused on entertainment, music and the bar. Most went there to forget their troubles for a while.

Trickee stepped over to the jukebox. Unlike a normal jukebox,this one had a ratio system installed instead of records to play, a tray of reusable tokens and a code keypad. Beside it hung a board with all the known reachable foreign radio channels. He took a token and inserted it into the machine activating the keypad. Typing in the code "0965" the jukebox switched to a personal favorite for the group. A soft and simple beat began to play with steady singing.

"There's a girl in town and word's gone around she's just fine
So I don't worry my head 'cause I know her heart is tied to mine " The jukebox played.

Waltzing back to his boyfriend's side Trickee's tail wagged near the floor. Hype patted the open seat beside him encouragingly. Not needing to be told twice the invited troll sat down. A glittery arm draped over his shoulders and one wing opened curling itself around him. These kinds of displays were an everyday occurrence. The glitter troll never did them for others to see. Rather he did them cause he knew Trickee's love language was physical touch. Trickee snuggled into Hype's side.

" Hey Uncle Vander." Trickee greeted.

" Hey Tricks." Vander smiled at his nephew. " Keep this one. I like him."

Ablaze and Boom redirected their gazes to see Mister Vander gesturing to Hype. Branch glanced for second in the same direction before pulling his goggles down getting back to tweaking his "Flash Bombs" as Ablaze called them. A small smile graced his face happy for his two buddies and their relationship. He had been told many times that dating in the friend grouponly led to issues and breaking up the group by the older generation but, the Prince didn't care.   Branch personally didn't get the appeal of dating stranger anyway so supporting his friends felt right.

"The life that we live and the love that I give to her
Each day it grows more and more I'm sure, it shows
Well
(Our love) is a bubblin' fountain
(Our love) that flows into a sea " The song continued.

" Don't worry. "I Love You" means I ain't never getting rid of him." Trickee joked lightheartedly.

" I'll hold you to that one." Hype joked back.

Ablaze and Boom chuckled as Vander stepped away to check on the oven in the back room kitchen. At the entrance of the pub trolls would peek in spotting Branch and giggle and whisper fondly to themselves and each other as they passed by. Their eyes lingered on him like he was ice cream on a hot summer day. Boom turned to look behind him hearing the giggling too but, those trolls were already gone. Shrugging it off he returned to his sights on Branch's project.

" I wonder what that Hickory guy is doing." Boom admitted.

" Probably with my brother getting situated. " Branch guessed.

" (Our love) deeper than any ocean
(Our love) for eternity
Ooh, like someday I'll pray our love will always stay pure
Ooh, while the world turns around, he holds me down for sure " The song continued.

" You're probably right." Boom agreed.

" Yeah. Considering how we had brought a bunch of night travelers in repeatedly that should be the procedure by now. We swoop in and take them to safety. John figures out the rest. " Branch commented.

More patrons wandered into the pub either with a spouse or by themselves. The ones who came by themselves filled up a corner in the booths. Hype climbed off his seat removing his wing and arm. Sensing the withdrawal Trickee turned around in his seat to see Hype his hand to dance. Grinning Trickee inserted his own hand entangling their fingers. With a gentle tug Trickee stood up then was pulled along to the open space ideal for a dance.

Later the Prince of the Underground entered his shared flat. All the lights were off. Except for one room. The bedroom.His blue eyes glowed green once activating his night vision. He could see everything as clear as day. After locking the door and closing the curtains, Branch made his shared room. Still to this him and John still shared a space but, now there were a pair of privacy curtains dividing it.

John sat in his hammock with an old saved scrapbook on his lap. It was from the Troll Tree. Made originally by their parents but, was mainly updated by their grandmother. It had pictures and stories of what life was like before Brozone. Before Branch hatched from his egg. Staring an old photo of younger versions of Spruce, Clay and Floyd he sadly smiled.

" I'm home..." Branch called out softly.

John looked up towards the doorway. He closed the scrapbook then climbed down from his bed. The book of memories joined the others on the shelves. Blinking away the night vision glow Branch.

" So is Hickory settled with the other visitors?" Branch asked.

" He is. He's rooming with Punk, Rosewood and Zack for now. He should be leaving in a couple days."

Branch nodded his head. He walked further into his older brother's side of the room. Stopping at the mirror he noticed his deer like antlers were growing back and beginning to peek out to his dismay. The bright blues faded into the halfway point of being grey. His three tails lowered sinking onto the carpeted floor. Bearing his teeth Branch pulled on his mane some to get a better look at the growth. Noticing his baby brother's annoyance he picked up the large metal clippers for horns and antlers.

" Need me to help you trim the stumps again?" John pointed the clippers at Branch.

Branch side eyed John considering it. " Maybe tomorrow. "

" What is your beef with your antlers anyway?" John put the clippers down.

" They hit the door frames. Knock stuff over. Make it hard for me to position my head when I'm trying to sleep. They keep expanding and branching unlike yours. At least your ones stop at a certain point. Mine keeps going. They get heavier too. I hate them. End of rant." Branch ranted.

John understood every point personally. While his antlers had a different shape to them, they still fostered similar issues. Dory trimmed his horns often but, he always did just the tips. Branch however would insist on cutting his own as low down as possible then trim the stumps.

" Yeah. They are annoying to have sometimes." John agreed. " We'll take care of that when you're ready. Plus a trim down on those three foxes knowing you."

" Thanks." Branch let go of his almost raven hair.

Letting out a yawn John infected Branch into yawning too. The clock's hands ticked getting closer to midnight. It was way past their usual self decided bed times. Normally Branch was the first to sleep and John would only hit the hay an hour later. It was mostly due to John's work as King keeping him up. Both siblings got ready for bed and climbed into their hammocks with a pillow and blanket. The privacy curtains were wide open as if they weren't needed now.

" Night." Branch turned his back.

John settled into his bed. " Goodnight, Branch."

Laying down John closed his eyes but, his mind was far from being at peace. Memories of their other brothers played like an old movie. Hickory's claims and voice crept their way in. Thoughts bounced off his brain. Was Hickory actually telling the truth? Did he actually know Floyd? Or was it all a name mix up? John wished he knew the answers.