We Actually Co-Exist, Against All Odds
"Pharynx!"
I stop mid-thought, and Tarsus stares at me. I probably look stupid—mouth agape, ready to relay orders I no longer remember.
Thorax's voice has that effect on changelings. One of these days I'll find a way to weaponize it. Until then, I'll just call him a dork.
"My brother graces us with his presence," I sass in reflex, turning with Tarsus. "Let me guess—you ran a roll call and one of your sap-lings is missing for cluster nap time."
Thorax stops, and immediately I can see that he's panting. He's begun babbling now, but that won't save him. I've already curled my lip.
"Everyling is present today, Pharynx. Very funny. Actually, I wanted to see if you'd—"
"'Aww, I appreciate your concern, Pharynx. I'll definitely put more effort into staying in shape,’" I recite in his high-pitched voice. He catches on to my glare at once and begins fidgeting. "Those were your exact words, Thorax. Must have been a long couple of corridors you just sprinted through to be out of breath like that. You fight off some riled salamanders while you were at it?"
His ears flop, and I can see Tarsus starting to slink away from us in my peripheral.
Tarsus always was a clever changeling. He knew full well that brotherly scoldings take priority to chore regiment reports.
"I'm sorry, Pharynx, I haven't had time lately. The royal summit was last week, and the week before that Apex was sick, so I haven't been able to focus."
I shoot up my brow. "Is it time, or is it focus?"
He winces. "Well, both, I guess."
"'You guess'? Hive's sake, Thorax. If you're going to make excuses, at least practice your script. We're born actors."
I turn on him and walk away, knowing full well he'll hurriedly follow after me. He does, much like a fawn frantically catching up to its mother.
"I promise I wasn't shrugging off your advice! It means a lot to me that you care about my health and well-being. I just haven't had the opportunity to fit it into my weekly schedule, yet."
"I offered to do some basic training with you for exactly that reason—so that you could get used to the routine," I counter. I deny him the eye contact he's blatantly pining for. "You just gushed over the sentiment and moved on, never getting back to me. You're the one always wanting to hang out, Thorax. I figured you'd jump on this if I offered to help."
His hooves go quiet, and I look at him. How anything could be so freakishly tall and still look so small and dejected was almost praiseworthy.
"It's just, it's so out of my element," he mumbles. He rubs his hoof and looks off to the side—more nervous habits he'd yet to break. "And, I know you hate it when I say things like that—I need to step out of my comfort zone more often. I just, I dunno, I think I was just putting it off, to be honest. But it wasn't because I didn't appreciate what you were trying to do."
I sigh, mourning my justification in taunting him as it fizzles away. Unfortunately for me, being an older broodmate has its perks as well as its chores. Fortunately for Thorax, becoming a pastel hippie has given me the patience I need to do more of the latter, lately.
"Don't sulk, Thorax. I'm not angry." My tone is softer now, and it gets his attention. "I know how you work, which means I know where to put my expectations. It takes you a while to start something new sometimes because of your anxieties."
His ears are still flopped over. I'd need to do something about that if this sap was to get anywhere. I close the gap between us, a smirk coming to me.
"I'm just frustrated that you don't seem to understand your own weaknesses as well as I do, let alone work towards finding ways to circumvent them."
He gasps when I effortlessly pull his big, awkward head down from the clouds and fiercely rub a hoof in the space between his antlers. He immediately begins putting up a fight, but, as we just established, he's a wimp, so nothing happens.
"Pharynx, that hurts!" he laughs, gripping at me with those sticks he calls legs. "What's gotten into you all of the sudden?"
"You could have prevented this," I say in monotone, staring off into space. I can't help but hold my smug smile. "Just because we don't have enemies on our doorstep at the moment doesn't mean you get to slack and not have consequences. You're as big as a maulwurf's claw now, Thorax, the least you could do is try and fit the part."
"That's not fair, this was a sneak attack!" he accuses, failing miserably to pull his head out of my grasp. I scoff.
"Sneak attacks, stealth, the element of surprise—A-tier tactics. Can't help that I'm efficient."
He grumbles, and I can sense he's about to transform—the coward. I rub my hoof harder, ruining his concentration, and the whining escalates. My smirk is a grin, now.
"Hey, c'mon, Pharynx! Let me go, I get your point!"
"What were you expecting, Thorax? A hug? A heartfelt pat on the head? Go play with the drones if you want sap for sap. I've got nothing but torment for you, especially when you go and blow off my suggestions."
He continues to struggle and laugh. He starts talking again, but I'm not listening this time. Something on the far wall of the corridor, behind Thorax, has caught my eye. It's a bunch of wispy, white patterns, and the more I stare, the more I remember them. One of them sticks out to me—it's the only marking not completely worn away.
A chill of old embarrassment runs up my carapace when I realize just what it is. It's a picture of two changelings hugging, sitting beneath a crudely drawn heart. The words above it are scratched and illegible, but my memory is all too happy to fill in the blanks for me.
It says, 'Big brother and me'! Isn't that cool, Pharynx? I didn't know we had rocks that could make pictures! What do you think?
. . . Ugh, Thorax. You're embarrassing, you know that?
Huh? How come? I just wanted to share how I feel with everyling, Pharynx.
Well, they're all laughing, Thorax—at you. None of them care about how you feel, or about rock pictures.
But, I—well then I don't care what they think! I drew these pictures because I wanted to, Pharynx. You're my brother and I care about you a whole lot.
". . . Pharynx?"
I lose my balance when Thorax finally manages to transform out of my grasp, his teal fire knocking me to my senses. Finally free, he stares at me with those big, round eyes full of concern.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah," I grumble. He cocks his brow. I think we both realize how unconvincing I sound. I grunt again. "It's nothing, just thinking."
Looking around the corridor, I find Tarsus patiently sitting on his flank near the southern exit, waiting for me. He waves. Thorax enthusiastically waves back. Just from this, shared love magic starts to stir in the air.
I sigh, contemplating my fate in this spritely fairy hovel.
"What did you want, Thorax?"
Thorax blinks and looks back at me. "Huh?"
"I interrupted you when you ran up to me with that sorry physique," I reiterate, smirking when he frowns ever so slightly. "Why were you looking for me?"
"Oh, is the brotherly tormenting over now?"
"For now," I reply. I don't like that sassy tone. "But it might rear up again. I'd get to talking."
He rolls his eyes and chuckles.
"Cluster nap time got pushed back today. The theatre troupe has a really big play they want to show the whole hive this afternoon. I wanted to see if you'd like to come with me."
I open my mouth and mentally seize myself from reflexively tearing down his hopes. Even I might start to feel something if that excited, nymph-like face deflates. Can't have that.
"You know how I feel about your 'plays,' Thorax. I'll probably fall asleep."
"I know you don't find them interesting, but this one is going to have acting through transformation. Noling is going to be in their original forms, and the cast is a secret. Only the characters are known. The actors will be revealed at the end of the play."
I turn my head sharply. There's a smugness to his expectant smile, now.
"So the audience can analyze who may be playing these characters during the play, then."
"Mhmm."
"Looking for quirks and tells of the actors will help you identify them. Then you can see how correct you were."
He grins. "That's right. I figured you might find it more interesting."
I turn around to Tarsus, who stands at attention immediately.
"Tarsus, looks like I'll be preoccupied longer than expected. You're relieved. If you're going to the play, too, come see me after."
He nods, salutes, and departs. I look at Thorax again. There's way too many teeth in his grin, now.
"Yeah, okay, it doesn't sound half bad," I yield, walking along the corridor once more with him. "I can actually use that information to help the drones identify and overcome their nervous tics while in disguise. We might not need to infiltrate anymore, but we should be up to snuff, anyway."
"And that practice will only make plays like this more exciting," Thorax adds. He's way too pleased with himself, having hooked me so flawlessly. I jab him in the side, and he lets out another whine.
Much better.
"I'm happy to have you along. Calor is really excited about this one. He hasn't stopped hyping it up to me for a week," he says, rubbing his side. "And, maybe after the play, if you're not too busy with the Guard's regiments, you could show me some of those exercises and courses you had in mind for me. I promise I'll give it my best...and I'll try not to wimp out too early."
I knowingly shake my head. "Oh, you will, and I'll be right there, waiting to laugh at you when you do, don't you worry about that. But, yeah, I think I have some time for that. And, all teasing aside, it's okay to start slow with training. Wise, actually. All I ever ask for is effort, Thorax."
I glance to the receding corridor behind us, and the scribbles of chalk still on display for the whole hive to see. I can't help but smile a little. In Chrysalis's hive, having a brother like Thorax was a burden. In our hive, it's more of an honor.
He'll never hear me say that of course, but he knows it's implied. Sort of.
"A changeling once told me he cared about me a whole lot," I say suddenly, catching his eye. "I didn't think much of it at the time, but every so often I do, now. I'd just like to say that I'll always be here for you, Thorax, from tormenting to bettering, and everything in between."
I immediately regret feeling something, as I knew I would. He makes a sound no self-respecting creature should ever make before vigorously hugging me. We nearly collapse under his weight.
"Aww, Pharynx, that's so sweet of you to say!"
"Get off."
"I'm so lucky to have a brother who cares about me, and understands who I am and what I struggle with."
"Urge to torment is rising again."
"I want you to know that I'm always going to be there for you, too, Pharynx. I might be the little brother, but I can be reliable, too. Anytime you're struggling with something or just need someling to listen, just let me know."
"Alright, moment's over. You think you have anxiety now? Just wait until I sic a maulwurf on your pixie behind on this training course to get you motivated. We'll invite the whole hive—call it 'post-feature entertainment.'"
The cycle of creative inspiration is one of my favorite things about artwork. 
Sockie created the above comic in response to my oneshot, Mine is Dorkier Than Yours. Now I, after finding major inspiration through their slightly unrelated fan animation, Boys Will be Bugs, have built off that idea even further.
On behalf of the changeling subfandom, thank you for your adorable contributions, Sockie. 
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Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!! I love seeing Pharynx being a big brother, it's always so preciousssssss!
Welp, there's another one on the list of To Do Dramatic Readings Of! I'm not even daunted by the number of them I have to do, this one is a definite let me read it out loud and post for people who don't have FimFic accounts!
I always have liked Pharynx more, I just wish they would have given him more than one episode. In my opinion, he should be the one in charge of the hive....he has the mental toughness for it. Thorax, well he is way too soft. I think he'd make a better ambassador than leader.
And so, the mighty warrior has fallen. No one shall stand a chance against the ultimate adorableness that is the Best Cinnabug
Especially this buggo. Urge to hug cinnabugs intensifies again 
Pharynx is best Tsundere.
Cinnabug
Cinnabug
Must protect and give a hug
I've probably mentioned it before, but I absolutely love how you write Pharynx. He truly is the best buggo. So naturally, anything that contains as much Pharynx as this fic is right up my alley.
Pharynx continues to be the best skittlebug, and Thorax continues to be adorable. Perfect.
11153822
This right here.
People already know by now how I feel like Pharynx is a wasted opportunity. The show introduces him as Thorax’s older brother, but nothing more, as he only got a major role in one episode, that being his debut episode. After that, nothing was done with him.
I’m glad we have fanfics to make up for it, but NavelColt in particular has one of my favorite take ons of Pharynx’s.
11153999
They could have done so much with him, perhaps even made them co-rulers because to be honest, Thorax is incompetent in my opinion. He lacks what it takes to be a leader, well a good leader who will look out for his subjects. Thorax is too "everything is sunshine and rainbows" while Pharynx knows there are still threats out there.
11154013
As much as I enjoy Thorax, I’m afraid I agree. When he’s explaining Pharynx’s behavior to Starlight and Trixie, he says that they’re “peaceful and there’s no need to patrol”… when there’s clearly a rampaging Maulwurf outside the hive, which they’re simply trying to lure away.
11154016
I think Thorax underestimates that maulwurf and thinks it will simply leave them alone if it is not provoked. Things like that could behave similar to the tatzlwurms and simply attack unprovoked. I think they got the idea of the tatzlwurm from the graboids from the Tremors movies....the maulwurf seems to operate in a similar way except it involves the leaves. They could at least share power. Thorax could be the one involved in diplomacy while Pharynx could handle more domestic issues, including hive security.
11154022
Yeah. Therefore, leading the hive would be a two-bug job.
11154023
One thing that crossed my mind a while back, imagine Pharynx teaching at the school of friendship....especially pre-reformation Pharynx. Now that would be very interesting.
11154026
I need to add that to my list of possible fic ideas
11154029
He could teach them all about changeling culture and how it has progressed, and how friendship changed them entirely. I do think he would be a less well liked professor....Ocellus would probably see too much of Chrysalis in him.
11154032
I see.
Aww it's always nice to see thorax and pharynx having this kind of talk with each other and no matter how rude and tough he is that's one thing he will always do he always will care for his brother and I like that this was a pretty nice story keep up the good work
Awww. That’s so sweet. The bugbros are written so well, I’d see it as an actual episode. Too bad we don’t get more of our changebois in the show. Another great piece of literature.
11154016
11154013
I don't think Thorax was ever meant to lead alone, and that's the real aspect to look at here. I don't think Thorax was given antlers because he had any potential to be a well-rounded solo leader (he didn't), he was given antlers because he is enlightened in the understanding of emotions, connections, and friendship compared to every other changeling, and those things are crucial for creatures that literally use love as sustenance.
From a narrative perspective, it's probably more accurate to refer to him as a revolutionary than a king, especially given the events of the S6 finale. Thorax found a way of life that rebelled against what the established monarchy enforced, and ultimately played a part in usurping said monarchy in the name of improving the hive's quality of life.
Thorax was the leader the changelings needed, but not the one they deserved. At least alone. That's why Pharynx is there. He balances out Thorax's rule by adding the regiment and strength that the hive needed too.
As for why Thorax is in charge and not Pharynx, I'd argue that's because the focus on emotions and connections had to come before the reintroduction of the sterner aspects of rule. The changelings' new forms and how they consume love now is like evolution, a change in biology for the better, and that's something that had to take place before reintroduction of self-defense and other things. If Pharynx was the one in charge, it's possible that things would hardly be different from Chrysalis's hive, minus one crazed/selfish dictator. If Pharynx was the one who overthrew Chrysalis, there might not have been an evolution at all.
Change often doesn't happen incrementally, it happens at a boiling point, and in cascades of massive, sweeping changes. Thorax was the only changeling who could have possibly lead a change that drastic.
11154169
Very interesting perspective, NavelColt.
I admit, I never woulda thought of that.
11154013
I personally wouldn't think of Thorax so much as "incompetent," but rather "inexperienced." Sure, he's a cinnamon bug through and through, but he also understands the nuances of politics and, later, how politics is messy and sometimes means you have to stand your ground and press the matter anyway. And while he very much prefer doing this gently and in a friendly manner, he's shown to do that task pretty well regardless. This is just as important, if not more important, a skill for any country leader to have as any, and I'd rather have the political diplomat that's selfless enough to always prioritize the needs of his country and people over his own wants and needs than that of the well-meaning but old-fashioned militant stick-in-the-mud that's really only changing under duress, and was the slowest to start changing to begin with.
Not that Pharynx doesn't play an important role in all of this too, of course. Like 11154169, I think it was always the intention to have Thorax and Pharynx co-rule together, because their contrasts serve as great check and balances to their personal styles of management, and as a result, end up making a brilliant team.
In short, I think Thorax is a pretty good ruler all on his own...but teamed up with his brother, they both make for great rulers.
It’s funny, you know. Whether it was to convey that Pharynx was the odd one out when every Changeling metamorphosed into their ‘pastel hippie’ states, or to allow some headcanon wiggle room, but Pharynx - reformed or not - has looked entirely different from the get go.
The season 2, 5, and 6 finales showed Changelings being entirely identical (with the exception of a few wearing armour, and of course Chrysalis), with black chitin, grey neckfins, and blue eyes.
Pharynx, on the other hand, had a chitin slightly paler than the others’, a red neckfin, and purple eyes. Now, while the others are all brightly palleted and pony-like, Pharynx - even reformed - is different for being the only one with a much darker not-really-pastel colour-pallet.
It’s an interesting thing to think about, in my opinion, let alone play around with. But yet again, anything with Pharynx is interesting, so perhaps I’ll digress.
11154809
My headcanons for the reformed changelings delve into emotional states and things a lot, and to summarize, the changelings are now getting used to feeling emotions rather than feeding on them. For a lot of the changelings this manifests as emotional immaturity—something we saw a lot of in To Change a Changeling, with lots of yelling and freaking out from the drones over things. I basically took something done for comedic effect and applied it to their metamorphosis. This is why in KoLB (my magnum opus and the flagship for this headcanon universe), Thorax fully embraces more of a parental role in the hive than one of a typical king, because even the adult changelings are getting used to regulating emotions.
But there's another aspect to transformation, and that's a sort of clarity to one's mental state. When a changeling transforms, and they're no longer controlled by persistent hunger, they find an increase to their patience, a lowering of their irritability, etc. This explains why the changelings suddenly enjoyed having a creative renaissance and exploring new interests, and it also explains how Pharynx really turned around his relationship with Thorax in my book.
So when Pharynx says becoming a hippie has given him the patience to deal with his dorky little brother more easily, it's both sarcastic and quite literal.
As for his varying appearance, I agree it's interesting to explore why that is. In my stories Pharynx doesn't develop the innate ability to sense other changelings' emotions as quickly as the others, and this is tied to how different and more rigid he is.
Pharynx is one of my most favorites characters in MLP. During all the episode when he appeared, I was like "but... he's right !"
Anytime I read this phrase, I now think of Arcane.
11155167
And the episode agreed
It's great to witness your portrayal of not just Thorax but also Pharynx. Their dynamic with each other is always fun to see, but it's great to see this go to the core, even in something as "simple" as a short slice-of-life fic.
I don't have much else to say here that wouldn't be a repeat of the other comments here, so thank you for this story!
This story us amazing! Well done.
PS: Could I have a link to the art please?
11216935
FIMFic cover art sources are embedded in the cover ^^ Should be a button that pops up over the bottom right when you hover over it.
Glad you enjoyed it!
11217705
No, I meant the little comic at the end.
No props, you’re pretty good after all.
11217968
Oh, that's linked through the text below it. Click 'Found on DeviantArt.'
11218092
Found it, thanks.