Chapter Text
Clay: Things have been different ever since Poppy has moved in with us in the bunker, at first things were weird, but we have had 4 years to adjust to her, now it just seems normal to have her around, but today is an exciting day for me and Viva, after years of being too nervous to ask her to be my girlfriend I have finally worked up the courage to ask her at the carnival I am taking her to.
I am getting everything ready for our day at the carnival when JD comes into the kitchen, he says, "Well I will see you later Clay." he starts leaving when I say, "Hold on a sec John, where are you going?" he turns around and has the look that says I have told you where I am going. He says, "Um, I am going on my annual camping trip that I do yearly, I am pretty sure I have told you multiple times that I am doing it this week."
When he says that I recall the times he mentioned it, then I say, "Oh, that's right you did mention it, I just forgot because-" then John says, "Because your mind has been somewhere else, I figured as such since you were surprised at my announcement of leaving." I chuckle a bit then say, "Sorry John." he shrugs his shoulders and says, "It's fine, I am not offended in the slightest." it amazes me how calm and chill John has become over the years, I still remember a time where he was more controlling. I guess it is true what they say, age does change you over the years. I do like the fact that John is more mellow than he used to be, but I would never admit that to him.
Then John says, "So, what are your plans for today?" I say, "Oh, I am just going to take Viva to the carnival." he nods his head and says, "Cool, hope you have fun." I say, "Thanks, I hope you have fun on your camping trip." he says, "Thanks bro, well I guess I will see you next week." he heads over to the elevator, goes up, and he is gone.
Not too long afterwards Poppy comes into the kitchen, she says, "Hey Clay, are you getting ready to go to the carnival?" I nod my head and say, "Yeah, I almost have everything together." Poppy says, "It's great that you and Viva are doing this, she is really excited about today." I smile and say, "That's good to hear, so what are you and Branch doing today?"
Poppy sighs and says, "You know how Branch has been sick for the last week?" I say, "Yeah." then she says, "Well I have finally convinced Branch to come with me to the doctors, and we are going today." I say, "Well that's good, at least we can finally help him out."
She nods her head and says, "True." she pauses then says, "Why are all of so stubborn?" I laugh a little bit, shake my head and say, "I am not entirely sure, I just assume it all started with our Grandmother Rosiepuff, she was sweet, but all of us learned at a young age to never get on her bad side or else we would be in a world of trouble, she was strict but she had a heart of gold."
Then Poppy says, "She sounds great, I wish I could have met her." when Poppy says that I say quietly, "Yeah." then I get lost in thought, outside of leaving Branch when he was young, one of my other biggest regrets of my younger years was never saying goodbye to my grandmother. If I knew that on the night we left, that it would be my last time ever seeing her I would have said goodbye to her, I should have said goodbye to her regardless of what was going on, if only I didn't let my anger get in the way of things, I could have made better choices. I remember when Branch announced that grandma was dead and how she died, I remember the sadness that came with it, ever since that announcement I try going to the troll tree as often as I can to pay tribute to her memory, to thank her for everything she has ever done for me. I feel that it is the right thing to do for her, she didn't have to take me and my brothers in, but she did out of the kindness of her heart. I know that the five of us may have been too much for her, but at least we knew she loved us, I know she did the best she can for all of us, and that is all I could ask of her.
Before I know it, Poppy is waving her hand in my face. I look at her and say, "What happened?" Poppy says, "You zoned out for a bit, are you okay?" I shake my head and say, "Yeah, I am okay, don't worry Poppy." she frowns a bit then says, "Okay, if you say so anyways, I am going to get Branch so we can head out." I say, "Okay, sounds good."
They head out, then I start heading out as well, but when I reach the top Cyan, Floyd, Rosie, and Titus is there. I say, "Hey guys, what are you doing here?" Cyan says, "Clay, we need your help." I raise my eyebrows and say, "With what exactly?" then Cyan says, "Is it possible for you to babysit Rosie and Titus?" I say, "Um, I had plans for the day, is it urgent?" Cyan says, "Well, Floyd has been sick for a week, and I want to make sure he is okay, but we can't take the kids with us, so that is why I was hoping to find someone to babysit them, but if you are busy, I understand, we can find someone else to take them."
I look at Floyd who I can definitely tell doesn't look his best, he is on the ground with Titus clinging onto him. Our eyes meet and I can definitely tell that he really needs help. I sigh, I know I had an idea in my head of how today will go with Viva at the carnival, but I can't be selfish and not help my brother in his time of need, if Floyd and Cyan really need me to take their kids for the day just so Floyd can get better then I will do it for them.
I say, "Cyan wait, I will take Rosie and Titus and babysit them for the day." she gasps and says, "Really." I nod my head and say, "Yeah." then Cyan says, "Kids, you are going to spend the day with your Uncle Clay." then Rosie says, "Yay!" but Titus hides behind Floyd, then Floyd says, "Titus, it will be okay, Clay doesn't bite." I kneel down in front of Floyd and Titus and say, "I promise I won't hurt you Titus, I promise I will make sure you have a great time." Titus looks up at Floyd who nods his head saying that it's okay. Titus slowly comes over to me, then he hops into my hair.
I look at Floyd and say, "Is it just me or is your son a lot shyer than you were at the age 4?" Floyd smiles a bit and says, "I think he is a lot shyer than I was in my younger years, but we are trying to help him realize that not everyone and everything is a dangerous threat, hopefully as he gets older, he will be more assertive." I laugh a bit and say, "Hopefully." then Floyd says, "Sorry we crashed your plans." I say, "Don't worry about it, I can still do my plans, just I now have to take your kids with me, but that shouldn't be a problem. I mean helping you is important." Floyd says, "Thanks Clay for your help." I say, "No problem, hopefully you get better bro." he says, "Thanks, we will see you later."
With that Floyd and Cyan leave. Then I say to Rosie and Titus, "Okay kids, who wants to go the carnival?" Rosie says, "Oh me." then Titus says, "C-Carnival." I say, "Don't worry kid, I will make sure nothing bad happens to you." with that I take the kids to the carnival. I see Viva waiting outside for me, she turns around and says, "Oh there you are Clay, I was starting to get worried about you." I say, "Sorry for the wait Viv's, just Floyd and Cyan stopped by the bunker and wanted to know if I would babysit their kids and well here, we are."
Then Rosie says, "Hi Viva." then Titus squeaks out a small hi, still hiding in my hair. Viva says, "Is Titus hiding in your hair Clay?" I nod my head and say, "Yeah, he basically is. I hope you don't mind babysitting Viva." she says, "I don't mind, this should be fun with your niece and nephew."
We head in and have a blast even though Titus is mostly clinging onto me or Viva, which we grow used to. At some point I find myself waiting on a bench with Rosie while Viva is in line with Titus to get treats. Rosie says, "Uncle Clay." I say, "Yeah Rosie." she says, "How long have you and Viva been together?" when she says that I say, "Rosie, if you are implying dating, then let me say we aren't dating we are just friends." then Rosie says, "But you guys seem like a couple, like Cyan and Big Brother."
I think to myself, "Sheesh, Rosie definitely knows how to ask very intrusive questions, which I don't like." I am about to ask Rosie if she literally wants to talk about anything else, when Viva comes back with Titus, which I feel relieved about. She says, "Who wants Glitterberry Cupcakes?" Rosie says, "Oh, I do." then I say, "Thanks Viva." we all eat our cupcakes, then we do a few more rides, than to finish the day off we go on the Ferris Wheel.
While standing in line for the Ferris Wheel I think to myself, "Okay Clay, this is the final chance you have to ask Viva to be your girlfriend, the only way to do that is by putting Rosie and Titus in the seat before me and Viva, so we can finally have some alone time."
I look at the kids and say, "Hey Rosie and Titus, why don't you two get in the seat before me and Viva." then Titus says, "But, what if something bad happens?" then Viva says, "Don't worry Titus, Rosie will make sure nothing bad happens to you." then Rosie says, "I will make sure you are safe Titus." then he says quietly, "O-Okay."
They get on the Ferris Wheel, then a little while later me and Viva get on the Ferris Wheel. Viva says, "I am guessing you put Rosie and Titus on the seat before us so we can have some alone time." then I say, "Is that so wrong?" then Viva says, "No, of course not, I mean I adore kids, but I have been wanting some alone time with you as well."
I take a deep breath and say, "You know we have been together for many years." she smiles and says, "Yeah." she grabs my hand and says, "And they have been great years, I am so happy that we became friends all those years ago." when she says friends that makes me start to question if I truly should ask her to be my girlfriend, maybe I shouldn't, maybe she is just happy with being friends, and she doesn't want to be anything more.
I sigh and say, "Me too, I am glad we have been friends for all these years." We sit in silence for a while, then Viva gasps and says, "Clay, look fireworks." we both enjoy looking at the fireworks, then halfway through Viva leans her head on my shoulder and says, "This is incredible." I smile and say, "Yeah, it really is." then I don't know how, I don't know why, but we both start leaning closer to each other. I start feeling my heart beat faster than it was before, then me and Viva are being asked to get off the Ferris Wheel, but as I am getting off I think to myself, "Did me and Viva seriously almost kiss? because if so, I need to control myself, she said she enjoyed just being friends, she doesn't want to be anything else. I just need to except that and move on; it doesn't matter how much I yearn to be something more than friends; I just need to respect Viva's wishes and find someone else to be with.