Archive of Our Own ^beta

John sighed, staring at himself in the mirror. After wearing the same clothes for almost 3 days straight, he changed into a black t-shirt and green and black checkered pants. It felt a little weird being in pajamas while everyone else wasn't, but he needed something more comfortable to wear. Plus, almost everyone was asleep, so it should be fine.

The teal-haired troll turned to the side, examining his profile. This was the first day in a while he had three full meals. Between that and changing into looser clothes, his baby bump was more obvious. John gently rubs his hands over his belly with a smile. Despite everything, he was looking forward to his twins. At least he's certain they'll be born into a stable and loving family.

John quietly slipped out of the bathroom and into the main room of Rhonda. Floyd was still in the bedroom section. Everyone had insisted on him and John took the bed. Poppy and Branch were conked out of the couch while Clay and Viva lay on the floor, sharing a blanket. It was shocking that Viva had shown up to help, given how scared she was of leaving the golf course. It meant they had an extra set of hands with helping Floyd, so there were no complaints.

Noticing they were lacking someone, John quietly steps toward the front compartment. He finds Bruce sitting in the driver's seat. "Hey," John said. "What are you doing in here? Rhonda's on autopilot."

Bruce looks up. "Hey. I couldn't sleep, so I figured I'd come up here and watch the scenery go by." He looks his older brother up and down. "Shouldn't you be resting? You've barely gotten any real sleep lately."

John shrugs. "I'll go back to bed soon. I needed to change. My clothes were becoming uncomfortable."

Bruce smiles, his gaze softening as his eyes settled on John's belly. "Can't say that surprises me." John gave a slight smile in return, resting his hand in his baby bump as he sat in the passenger seat. Thistle used to say similar things to him, making fun of his naturally stocky build. But where Thistle always sounded judgmental, Bruce's voice was filled with care and fondness.

"Do you think it's strange?" John asked. At his purple-haired brother's confused look, John clarifies, "That I have kids."

"I was a little surprised, but not because I believed you'd never start a family," Bruce replied after a few seconds. "Honestly, if any of the other three were parents, I'd still be surprised. Why do you ask?"

"Everyone just seemed so stunned when they learned about my daughters," John said, leaning back. "Well, maybe I shouldn't say that. You and Floyd were a little shocked, but you guys accepted it pretty quickly. Branch and Clay, though... it was like they couldn't understand how I became a parent. Branch was so confused, first when he realized I was pregnant, then when he saw I already had kids." The pregnant troll snorts at the memory. "You should have seen it, Bruce. I didn't think anyone's jaw could hit the floor like that when he met the girls."

Bruce smirked. "Right. Remember how Clay reacted? I can't remember the last time he was speechless. When you showed him your pregnancy, I thought he had short-circuited." The two oldest brothers laughed, recalling how much their green-haired brother stammered and stared.

The teal-haired troll watched as the night zipped by, the stars like tiny diamonds on a sea of deep blue velvet. It took him back to whenever he went camping or those nights he spent in the Neverglade, hiding from Thistle. John's peaceful expression faded as new questions came to mind. He turns to Bruce.

"Bruce, I have to ask you something." Bruce turned to John, his expression worried. "When you said my daughters and I could live with you and your family, were you serious?"

Bruce looked shocked. "Of course I did. Why would you think I didn't?"

John turned to look outside, arms wrapped around himself. "Bro, let's be honest. The last time we were together, things didn't end well. We didn't just quit the band; we quit being a family. And it was all my fault." He forces himself to look at Bruce, who looks horrified. "Bruce, I... I'm sorry. I'm sorry for pushing you so hard and making you feel like your looks were the only thing that mattered. After Mom and Dad died, you became obsessed with looking good. You always cared about your appearance, but you went overboard with working out. I tried to ask what was wrong, but you kept saying this is what you wanted, so I... went along with it." John sighs, looking down. "You deserved better."

Bruce was quiet for a while before taking a breath and saying, "John, look at me." Raising his head, he saw his brother's serious expression. "If we're being honest, it wasn't all your fault. I should have been up front with you. I just kept expecting you to notice what was wrong. For a long time, I resented you. After I got together with Brandy, I realized it hadn't been fair of me to expect you to just know. It's not like you can read minds. You said it yourself. You tried talking to me, but I just shut you out."

Bruce rubs the back of his head. "If it wasn't for you, I might have been worse. Yeah, you pushed me to work out, but you also made sure I was eating enough. You'd always make sure I had a water bottle whenever I was exercising and refused to allow me to skip meals. You'd also tell me it was okay to snack and have cheat meals."

John Dory smiled sheepishly. "Well, when you really started getting into exercise, I did some reading. You have to eat more if you want to stay at a healthy weight, so I was trying to stay on top of making sure you had enough food."

"I appreciate that." Bruce had turned in his seat so he was completely facing John. "I also appreciate the apology, and I forgive you." Bruce sighs. "I'm sorry, too. For not being honest with you and blaming for everything. And I do want you around. I'm certain our kids would become great friends."

John smiles as the thought. He could imagine his girls becoming great friends with his niece and nephews. "I think my kids would like that too. I'm honestly leaning towards living on Vacay Island. Most people are giants, and Thistle is afraid of any giant species. He'd never look for me there."

"Sounds like a plan. It shouldn't hard setting up rooms for you all plus a nursery." Bruce's smile faded as something else crossed his mind. "Uh John? I have a question, but you don't have to answer if you don't want to."

John gave him a confused look. "What is it?"

Bruce taps the steering wheel nervously. "Does-does Thistle know that you're pregnant?"

John immediately tensed. This was not something he expected to talk about. It came with a secret he intended to take to his grave. Yet, looking at Bruce, seeing his sincerity, made John feel safe. He felt like he could trust Bruce to not judge him over this.

"No. But Bruce," he began slowly. "If I tell you why, do you swear to never tell anyone else? I-I don't think I could stomach someone else finding out."

Bruce's face darkened with concern. "Of course. Whatever you say, I promise to keep it to myself."

John nods and goes back to looking out the front window. He doesn't think he could look at his brother while saying this. "Listen, I... I wasn't completely honest about what happened with Robin. I didn't find out because she told me. That day, when he hit her, I was there and saw everything. I was livid. There was no way I would let him hurt my children. I grabbed him and shoved him away, looking over Robin. That was the first time I ever stood against him and fought back. Thistle... did not react well."

John paused, taking a breath to steady himself. His hands were shaking, but he clasped them together. He could feel Bruce's eyes on him as he continued looking outside. "Thistle got right back up and grabbed my hair, trying to drag me to the floor. Robin was crying and begging him to let me go. I yelled at her to take her sisters and lock themselves in my office, to not come out no matter what. Once she ran out, that's when it got worse."

John could feel the tears flowing, but he pushed on. "H-he slammed me into the ground, doing it over and o-over. Then he just held me down and growled that he w-would show me what happens when I d-defy him. H-h-he-" For some reason he couldn't understand, he looked right at Bruce, who stared back with growing horror as John cried, "He ripped my clothes off and forced himself on me! My babies exist because my husband raped me!"

He completely broke, gasping and sobbing as the memories of rough hands and piercing pain came flooding back. Suddenly, strong arms wrapped around him, gently pulling him into a tight embrace. John was surprised for a moment as Bruce whispered, "I've got you." John Dory just sat there for a few seconds before he wrapped his arms around his brother, crying into his chest.

"I begged him to stop, to not do it!" John sobbed. "But he wouldn't listen! When I started crying, he... he laughed! I can still feel everything! How how gripped me so tight he left bruises! How he m-moved in me! How he bit my shoulder when I scratched him!" John was heaving, trying to catch his breath between cries. "I don't know what to do, Bruce! If he finds me, I... I..."

"Johnny... can you look at me?" John slowly pulled back. Bruce's face was a mix of emotions - anger, love, protectiveness. "If that bastard does find you, he'd have a lot of people to get through to get to you: me, Brandy, Clay, Floyd, Branch, Poppy, Viva. Unlike him, we know what it means to be a family."

John felt drained. He wasn't actively crying anymore, but tears still rolled down his cheeks. It was all so overwhelming, hard to believe he was away from Thistle and with people that wouldn't try to hurt him. He leaned forward, resting his forehead on Bruce's shoulder. "I just don't know where to go from here. I spent a whole year scared out of my mind. I'm not with him anymore, but I'm still terrified."

Bruce's hand came up to cup his face, wiping away tears. "Well, first you're going to get a full night's sleep. Then, in the morning, you'll eat a full breakfast. You're having twins and need some fattening up." John chuckled at that. "Then once we arrive at Pop Village, we're going to get you looked at by a doctor." Bruce titled his head back so they have eye contact. "You're not alone anymore, JD. Don't forget that."

John Dory managed a small smile. "Thanks, bro," he said before sighing and practically flopping back. "I'm not sure if I can sleep though. I feel worn out, but I'm not tired." That was something else he'd been struggling with, nights where he was mentally exhausted but just couldn't go to sleep.

The purple-haired troll hummed thoughtfully. After a minute, he said, "I have an idea. Brandy always had problems sleeping whenever she was pregnant, and there was always one thing that helped. It's a bit different for us since we're both trolls, but I think it'll work. But first," Bruce turned serious. "I need to ask. Are you okay with me touching you? Your stomach?"

John stared, a little worried but also curious. Out of all his brothers, Bruce has been the most considerate, always asking before touching John in any way. And he really wanted to get some sleep. He gave a nervous nod.

"Ok," Bruce said. He stands and moves the seat farther back, then tilts it. Sitting down, Bruce gestures. "You're just going to sit in my lap and lean back. I'm going to wrap my arms around you and rub you stomach, okay?"

John blinks in surprise. That wasn't what he was expecting. He steps over to Bruce and turns around, trying to relax as he sits and leans against Bruce's chest. One arms comes up, gently wrapping one arm around his upper body. His free hand rests on John's baby bump, remaining still for a second before he starts gently stroking his midsection.

John sighs, practically melting as Bruce rubs circles into his growing belly. It was strange. He hadn't felt this loose in over a year. He could feel the tension leaving, his mind focusing on his brother's tender touch. As his eyes began to droop, his mind finally shutting down, he glanced at the night sky. In this moment, with just him and Bruce and the calm of night, he had nothing to fear. John drifted off, feeling truly safe for the first time in a long time.