//------------------------------// // Chapter 8: The Fears of a Son // Story: Patrilineality: Making Up For Time We Lost // by Melody Song //------------------------------// Metamorphosis entered the cafeteria early the next morning. He smiled and looked around, searching for his sons. “Hello Metamorphosis.” a yellow changeling said as she trotted up to him. “Oh, hello, uh…” “Dajia.” “Heh, hello Dajia. Have you seen Thorax and Pharynx?” “They’re at the ‘royal table’.” Dajia chuckled, pointing to one of the tables. “We call it that, it’s the table where they always sit.” Metamorphosis nodded and headed towards the indicated table. He saw Thorax talking to Pharynx, who seemed very tired. “Pharynx?” Metamorphosis sat down by Pharynx and placed a hoof on his head. “Is everything okay?” “Y-Yeah, I’m fine, I just-” Pharynx broke off, giving a huge yawn. “Pharynx, you’re not fine.” Thorax wrapped a hoof around him, then looked up at Metamorphosis, voice lowering into a whisper. “He came into my room last night, with Night Fury. I found him cuddled up against me this morning.” Metamorphosis nodded, eyes soft in concern. Pharynx’s dragon plushie was obviously his comfort object. If he had needed both the plushie and his brother in order to feel safe last night, then clearly things were getting worse. “Sh-Shuddap Thor, ‘m fine.” Pharynx mumbled, rubbing his eyes. “I just need to wake up a little, then I’ll be good to go train the soldiers.” “Pharynx…” Thorax tried to say, but Pharynx had slipped away from them and trudged out of the cafeteria. Metamorphosis and Thorax exchanged worried looks. “Dad, do you think you could-” “Of course. I’ll go watch over him, to make sure he doesn’t pass out on us. You handle your own duties.” Metamorphosis said “Thank you dad…” Thorax nuzzled him before standing. Metamorphosis nodded and stood, following Pharynx out. He saw Pharynx pacing around as he watched soldiers doing a drill, sparring with each other using spears. “Pharynx.” Metamorphosis trotted up to him. “How’s the training going?” “Good, relatively speaking.” Pharynx replied “Why don’t you sit down?” “No thanks.” “Pharynx…” Metamorphosis nuzzled him. “You don’t want to sit down because you know you’d fall asleep if you did.” Pharynx scoffed. “No, I jus-” he yawned widely. “Oh Pharynx…” Metamorphosis nuzzled him. “Please son, go get some rest.” “No!” Pharynx snapped, rubbing his eyes. “I’m fine dad, just let me work…” Metamorphosis sighed and nodded. “Alright. But I’m staying to make sure you’ll be okay.” Pharynx rolled his eyes, continuing his pacing. Metamorphosis sat off to the side, watching the soldiers. He began to understand why Pharynx complained about them, and also noticed something. Pharynx was snapping at the changelings who were messing up. As Pharynx trudged over during a break, he stayed standing. Metamorphosis sighed. “Pharynx, I believe I know why the soldiers aren’t getting any better.” “Really now? Then please, enlighten me, oh great one.” Pharynx snarked Metamorphosis’ eyes narrowed. He didn’t like this tone. Still, he continued speaking. “The reason they’re not getting better is because they’re too afraid of making a mistake and causing you to yell at them. Then they second guess themselves and mess up.” Metamorphosis explained. Pharynx grew silent. Then, he spoke in a low and harsh tone. “How would you know?” “Excuse me?” “You heard me, father. You never had to do any training because you were mother’s advisor. So how would you know how to train recruits?” he snarled Metamorphosis’ eyes widened. “Pharynx, just because I was Chrysalis’ advisor doesn’t mean I don’t know a thing or two about training recruits. I even offered you my assistance when I first returned, remember?” “Then if you did know about how to train them, then you’d know that I yell at them to motivate them. To make them try harder!” Pharynx’s voice rose. “Pharynx you can’t expect them to read into your words when you’re screaming at them!” “They do anyway! I yell to motivate, not to make them feel bad about themselves! How do you think I’m supposed to prove I’ve changed if I did it for any other reason?!” “Pharynx, this isn’t about that, I’m just pointing out what you’re doing that could be viewed as intimidation! This has nothing to do with your old form!” “Like heck it does! That’s all anyone will ever see me as! A monster!” “Pharynx you’re not a monster!” “Like you?” Pharynx snarled. Metamorphosis gasped softly, then strode forwards, using his extra height to tower over Pharynx. “That’s enough Pharynx, I’ve had enough of this attitude of yours, where is it coming from?” “Who cares?” Pharynx grunted. “No one’s ever cared before, why should they now?” “Pharynx, I care. And I can’t tolerate my son speaking to me this way.” “Well too bad for you, because I’m tired of changing to match how someone else thinks I should act.” “Pharynx-” “No, I don’t want to hear it, father.” Pharynx stalked past him. “Practice is over! Get out of here pebble-brains!” The soldiers, many of whom had been close enough to hear the argument between father and son, all dispersed. Metamorphosis sighed and trotted away, leaning against the wall of a hallway. “Dad!” Thorax came trotting up. “I just saw Pharynx heading to his room, what happened?” “We… we had a fight. I’m sure it was just his stress and exhaustion, but…” Metamorphosis sighed and shook his head. “We both said things we regret, I’m sure.” Thorax nuzzled his father gently. “Do you want to go apologize to him?” “Let him cool off a bit first.” Metamorphosis replied, nuzzling back. “But what are we going to do?” Thorax sighed. “I’m not sure… I’m worried dad.” “I know. I am too.” Metamorphosis wrapped his son in a hug. Thorax buried his head in Metamorphosis’ shoulder. “But we’ll figure something out. I know we will.” That night, Metamorphosis found himself unable to sleep. As he was staring at the ceiling, he thought he heard hoofsteps. Metamorphosis sat up, then… Crash! “Hivemother damnit!” a familiar voice hissed Metamorphosis stood and went to the door. He opened it to find Pharynx sprawled on the floor, seeming to have tripped over a vine that was growing in the hallways. “Stupid, dumb gardening idea.” Pharynx spat, struggling to stand. Metamorphosis stepped out of his room and moved swiftly over to Pharynx. He reached out and pulled his son up. Pharynx yawned and blinked, eyes drooping and clearly tired as he tried to focus on who was helping him. “Huh…? D-Dad?” “Yes Pharynx, it’s me.” Metamorphosis nuzzled him. “What are you doing out here?” “I…” Pharynx wrapped his hooves around Metamorphosis as he struggled to stay upright. “I was trying to get to Thorax’s room…” Metamorphosis smiled softly and hefted Pharynx up. “Well, let’s get you there then.” “Mhm… where’s Night Fury?” Metamorphosis looked around and spotted the dragon plushie near where Pharynx had tripped. He lifted it up with his magic and gave it to Pharynx, nuzzling him gently. “Come along my son.” As Metamorphosis helped Pharynx walk, Pharynx yawned and leaned against him. “Dad?” “Yes son?” “I…I didn’t mean what I said…” “I know you didn’t Pharynx.” Metamorphosis nuzzled him. “I’m just… ‘m scared of being seen as a monster… of them shunning me and… I’m tired of changing. I just want to be me…” “It’s okay Pharynx. You can be yourself, they will not shun you or see you as a monster. That will never happen, not while I’m here.” “R-Really dad?” “Really.” Metamorphosis then pushed open the door to Thorax’s room. Pharynx saw this and slipped away from Metamorphosis, staggering over to Thorax’s bed. He clambered in beside his brother and snuggled against him. “Mm… whazzat?” Thorax opened his eyes, then looked down to see Pharynx cuddled against him. “Pharynx…?” “B-Bro…” Pharynx whisphered, pressing against the alpha changeling. Metamorphosis moved closer and leaned down to nuzzle Pharynx. Pharynx sniffled, tearing up. He then began crying into Thorax's shoulder. Thorax locked eyes with Metamorphosis, then shifted and backed up, giving him room to lie down. He joined them and moved closer to Pharynx. “It’s okay son, I’m here.” Metamorphosis murmured. “I'm here…” Thorax held Pharynx as the beta changeling slowly began to calm down. He closed his eyes and nestled closer. “Shh… sleep Pharynx, it’s okay. I’m here, everyone is safe. Sleep.” Thorax soothed, rubbing his brother’s back. Pharynx let out one last sob before rubbing his eyes. “I… I’m sorry…” “There’s nothing to be sorry for.” Thorax soothed. “Just sleep, cuddlebug.” Pharynx yawned and looked up at Metamorphosis. “Dad…” “I’m staying right here. Don’t worry.” Metamorphosis nuzzled him. Pharynx smiled slightly, hugging Night Fury. He closed his eyes and nestled into the bed. Thorax pulled the covers over them, and Pharynx soon fell asleep. Metamorphosis smiled, looking at Thorax. “It’s dealt with for now…” Metamorphosis murmured “But not forever.” Thorax sighed. He nuzzled his brother. “I wish he didn’t have to be afraid…” “As do I. But all we can do for now is be there for him.” Metamorphosis replied. Thorax nodded, then yawned. He wrapped his hooves securely around Pharynx and closed his eyes. Metamorphosis closed his eyes as well, and soon, all three were asleep.