Thorax led the way through the land, the letter turned arrow held in his hoof. Pharynx trotted after him, glancing around. They two brothers had long since left the Hive, after placing needed supplies-food and such-in some saddlebags, which Thorax had opted to carry. They were traveling as quickly as they could, at Pharynx's suggestion, to try and follow the arrow as far as possible before it got dark.
“Y’know, it’s been twenty five years since this letter was written... dad might be nowhere near here.” Pharynx said, trying to keep the hopeful note out of his voice. Thorax didn't respond, however, and Pharynx didn't say anything else.
“Phar, how long was mother planning the invasion for?” Thorax suddenly asked. Pharynx blinked, caught off guard, but responded quickly enough.
“Um… well, I know that she always wanted to try and invade Equestria. The royal wedding was just the first event that gave her the opportunity to do so. If I had to guess, I would assume she was planning an invasion since before our eggs were even laid. Why?”
“Then our father probably knew and decided to stay away from Equestria, since mother would eventually find him there.” Thorax replied, seeming sure of himself.
“Yeah… maybe..." Pharynx sighed, then looked up at the sky. "it’s getting late Thor… we should set up camp for the night.” Pharynx said, seeing that the stars and moon were beginning to emerge.
“Okay.” Thorax agreed, letting Pharynx lead him to find an ideal place to set up for the night.
Once they’d set everything up and Pharynx had a fire going, Thorax settled in a nest he’d fashioned from pine needles and bracken. Pharynx laid beside him in one Thorax had made for him. Thorax pulled some haydogs out of his saddlebags and began roasting them over the fire. Pharynx suddenly sighed, and Thorax looked at him.
"What's wrong?"
“What… Thorax… what do you think will happen if we really find him?”
“I hope...well, I want, really…” Thorax paused as he pulled the haydogs back and tested one with a small bite. “If we find him, I would like for him to come back with us. His letter makes it sound like he realized long before I was even alive that there was an alternative to stealing love. And I guess he just never found it.”
“Yeah..." Pharynx tried to ignore the pang in his chest at the mental image of Thorax spending time with the outline of a tall changeling. What was wrong with him? "I guess mother was right when she said you were just like him. Only…”
“What?” Thorax asked, giving Pharynx one of the haydogs.
“...Well... you came back.” Pharynx finished his thought.
“Aww, Pharynx…” Thorax pulled him in for a hug.
“Yeah, yeah, get off.” Pharynx pushed him away.
“You’re a big softy, you know that?”
Pharynx sighed and bit his haydog in half. “Yeah, I am. Thanks to you.”
“And I couldn’t be happier about it.” Thorax leaned over to nuzzle him.
“Of course you couldn’t.” Pharynx grunted, but he smiled at his brother anyway.
The two brothers finished their meal and laid down to go to sleep. However, before they could drift off, Thorax used his magic to drag Pharynx into his hooves.
“Ugh, Thorax…” Pharynx muttered, but sighed and pressed against him anyway. Thorax cuddled his brother close and rested his head on top of Pharynx’s.
“Mm... goodnight Phar.”
“...Why do I have to be the little spoon?”
“Because I’m bigger.”
“Didn’t stop me from spooning you last time.” Pharynx said, smirking.
“That doesn’t count, I had a long day, I was really tired and I didn’t care... just go to sleep you big cuddlebug.”
“I am not a cuddlebug!"
"Pharynx..."
"Fine... g’night... snugglebug…” Pharynx muttered.
"Pharynx, did you...?"
"Shut up bro."
"I knew you were a big softie! I should start calling you cuddlebug all the time!" Thorax said, nuzzling him.
"Oh, you just try..."
"C'mon, cuddlebug... it's not the first time I've used it." Thorax said, and Pharynx sighed.
"Still not calling you... that again... it was a one-time thing, got it?"
"Please? Just one more time? It was cute."
"No! Absolutely not! Especially if you call me... urgh... cute... again."
"But you are! Please?" Thorax asked, a whimper following the word. Pharynx groaned and rolled over, pressing against his brother and hiding his face out of embarrassment as he complied.
"...Snugglebug..."
"Yes! Come here Pharynx!" Thorax hugged Pharynx tightly.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Jus' go to sleep Thorax..."
"Heh, alright cuddlebug." Thorax said, nuzzling him. Pharynx groaned, but smiled as he closed his eyes and allowed Thorax to hug him.
-:- -:- -:- -:- -:- -:-
Thorax opened his eyes slowly and rubbed them. He looked around, seeing the sun peeking over the trees around them. Thorax then looked down to see Pharynx was still snuggled up against him. Thorax smiled and kissed his forehead. Pharynx shifted and his eyes opened slowly. He yawned, showing his fangs, then looked up.
“Mm… ‘st morning already?”
“Yeah. Have a good sleep?”
Pharynx gave a content sigh and nodded, pressing up against his brother’s chest. Thorax smiled and nuzzled him.
“I’ll take that as a yes. Come on, we need to keep moving.” Thorax sighed, sitting up.
“I know, I know…” Pharynx pried himself away from Thorax and stood up, shaking himself.
“Let’s see… where’s the letter?”
“It's over here.” Pharynx trotted to their saddlebags and lifted out the arrow. It was spinning, and directed itself further into the woods.
“Well, I guess we’re going into deeper into the woods…” Thorax said, trembling slightly.
“Yep." Pharynx glanced over at Thorax and read the expression on his brother's face easily. "What? You scared?” Pharynx teased
“N-no... you’ll protect me, right?” Thorax asked softly, and Pharynx chuckled.
“Of course I will.” Pharynx nudged his little brother. “Now c’mon, you’re the one who wanted to do this. Let’s go.”
They headed into the forest, not noticing the purple-blue, cat-like eyes that suddenly appeared, peering at them as they went into the dark woods.