//------------------------------// // [Not] In Front Of Dad // Story: Patrilineality // by Melody Song //------------------------------// “-So about six months later Thorax ran off and abandoned the Hive. Then about a year later he comes back with some friends-or so I heard from the guards at the time-to save the royals and heroes of Equestria that Chrysalis captured. He transformed into this...thing-” “Ahem.” “What? It took some getting used to. Anyway, everyling else followed his lead, and Chrysalis ran. I found out after all the ponies left, and… well…” Pharynx trailed off. “Just tell him brother.” Thorax leaned down to nuzzle his cheek. “Alright, if it gets you to stop it.” Pharynx shoved him playfully, then continued. “When I found out… I hated the new ways… what they did. I wanted to keep stealing love. I only changed my mind when I realized I did still love the Hive… and I wanted to stay. I honestly thought about leaving-I almost did leave.” Thorax wrapped a foreleg around Pharynx, leaning down to nuzzle him again. Pharynx slipped out from under him with a glare. “You… almost left?” Metamorphosis asked “...Everyling kept insulting me… talking about me behind my back… calling me evil, saying that I made them uncomfortable… they wanted me gone so I just thought "screw it" and…” Pharynx was clearly on the verge of tears. “Alright, that’s it. We’re stopping for the day, you need sleep Phar.” Thorax said, halting. “Fine… wait here, I’ll find us a clearing.” Pharynx said, and, without waiting for an answer, he disappeared into the undergrowth. Thorax and Metamorphosis stood in silence for a minute. “...He changed, you know… he only ever used to care about hunting and patrolling. He may call himself the Prince-General, but he is so much more than that. Pharynx… he protects us all, and he has a lot of friends, close ones who he loves.” Thorax said “Well, I suppose anyone can change.” Metamorphosis said “But… did he ever get over those things said to him?” “I honestly don’t know. Phar doesn’t like showing his emotions. He’s not the sensitive type… well, not in that sense.” “If I were you, I would make sure he knows it’s not true, and if it is, that he has friends who accept him anyway.” “Thanks...dad.” Thorax smiled “Mother never helped comfort us like that…” “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.” Metamorphosis said “You’re here now.” Thorax leaned over and nuzzled him. “Heh. You do that a lot?” “The Hive has discovered that being affectionate to others helps us acclimate to sharing love. After we did, we just got so used to it we started doing it all the time. It’s normal for us to give each other nuzzles or kisses on the cheek or forehead.” Thorax replied “I would love to see that.” Metamorphosis said "The Hive being gentle and caring to each other." “Over here you two!” Pharynx called, and they walked towards his voice. Pharynx had found a nice shady glen, with ferns surrounding it. He had laid out some stones already, for a fireplace. “What do you think bro? Cutesy enough for you?” Pharynx asked, and Thorax huffed “Very funny.” “Well, you’re the one who started a gardening club. Try telling me you don’t care about how 'nice' it looks or whatever.” “I don’t.” “Oh, really?” "Yes, really. I don't care." Pharynx scoffed disbelievingly and began patting down some of the grass to make a nest. Thorax rolled his eyes at Pharynx and pulled some carrots and apples out of his bag. “You don’t eat meat anymore?” “Some of us still do, but we weren’t sure how long we’d be gone and it wouldn’t have kept.” Thorax replied. Pharynx grunted and settled down in his makeshift nest, curling up with his dragonfly wing tail over his nose. Thorax trotted over and rubbed his head gently, making his brother shift and sigh. Metamorphosis accepted an apple from his son and began to eat, Thorax doing the same, setting aside some of the carrots for Pharynx. “So… Thorax… you’re aware that your rank in the Hive gives you the power to choose whoever you want as your mate, yes?" "I am, though I honestly haven't considered it. Since I took over I've made it clear that you should choose mates because of true love, not because your leader assigned you one." "Ah. But...are you aware that your closeness with Pharynx… it could be viewed that you have chosen him as… your mate…I only say this because I'm sure there are plenty of changelings that remember the older traditions...” “O-oh!” Thorax blushed and looked away. “Pharynx and I are just brothers, that’s all. I know it’s not completely unusual, but… I… I um…” “He’s already dating someone.” Pharynx grunted “Oh, you are?” Metamorphosis asked, grinning. “W-well… Pharynx is too!” “No I’m not!” Pharynx sat straight up, cheeks red. “Yes, you are.” “Okay, now you’re really getting it.” Pharynx snarled “Try me.” Thorax said, and Pharynx leapt onto his hooves. “Gladly.” he grinned. Pharynx ran at Thorax and tackled him. He easily overbalanced the larger changeling and pinned him, a hoof at his neck. Pharynx smirked and sat down on his brother’s stomach. Thorax struggled but couldn’t sit up. “What’d I tell ya dad? I’m the strongest.” Pharynx said proudly “Yes, you are.” Metamorphosis said, smiling “Now get off your brother Pharynx-don’t you think you’re a bit old for this, anyway?” “Not for a brotherly wrestling match. Besides, I go to weekly sparring matches with a few friends, I’m okay with Thorax being such a wimp.” “Wimp yourself!” “Am not.” Pharynx said, looking down at him. Thorax charged up his antlers and grabbed Pharynx in his magic, sending him down into the soft grass, then standing up and getting on top of him. Thorax then smirked. “Hey! Magic is cheating, I didn’t use it on you!” “Sure, but that was just to pin you. Now, I won’t need it.” “What are you-oh, oh no. Not that Thorax, not in front of dad!” “What is he talking about?” Metamorphosis asked, raising an eyebrow. “This!” Thorax lowered a hoof and traced it along Pharynx’s stomach. “Ngh…” Pharynx moaned and shifted. Thorax brushed his hoof teasingly along his belly. “Come on Pharynx…” Thorax then began brushing his hoof along his stomach less gently. “Ngh… ahahahaha! Thorahahahahax!!! Stop ihihihihit!!!” “No way, this is payback for making me crash into that shelf, and that tree.” “Nohohoho, Thorahahahax!” Pharynx laughed wildly, struggling. Metamorphosis smiled slightly. “So, Pharynx is weak on his underbelly.” “Not just there…” Thorax stepped back and prodded the underside of one of his back hooves. “Gahahahahaha!” “And here…” Thorax ran his hoof along Pharynx’s side. “Ahaha! Not the sihihihides!” “Oh, yes the sides you little-” “Don’t you say ihihihit!” “You little gigglebug!” Thorax cried, and Metamorphosis snickered “Gigglebug?” “Thorahahahax let me up so I can kill yohohohohou!” “No way!” “Thorax, let him up, I think you’re plenty even.” Metamorphosis said. “Fine.” Thorax stepped off of Pharynx, who was breathing heavily now. Pharynx glared at Thorax before going back to his nest, curling up again and facing away from them. “Don’t worry, he gets like this sometimes, when I tickle him without him asking. I try not to but sometimes he’s just so easy…” Thorax said “Alright, I think that’s enough teasing from both of you.” Metamorphosis reprimanded them softly. “Ugh, you sound just like ‘Papa Thorax’ over there.” Pharynx grunted “Pharynx…” “Payback for the ‘gigglebug’ comment, bro.” “Mind explaining, Thorax?” “Heh heh, so...the changelings have been calling me that, because they say I act more like a dad than a King...it’s a compliment, really.” Thorax blushed “Speaking of dads…” Pharynx turned to their father. “How is it that you look so different anyway? Chrysalis was the Queen for a lot longer than you, so how is it you look like that?” “Well, it’s a bit of a story…” Metamorphosis said “I’m listening.”