//------------------------------// // Hush Now, Quiet Now // Story: Two Nymphs, One Pony // by CitreneSkys //------------------------------// Fluttershy almost had a heart attack when Thorax yawned. His lower jaw had split apart, revealing his large fangs and incisors.  “Is that normal?!” Thorax clicked. “...You mean this?” He split his jaw again, and Fluttershy yelped. “Yes...this is normal...” “Okay...if you say so...” Her breath hitched. For a moment, she had thought she’d have to make an emergency gallop to the hospital.  The winged mare glanced around the room. She only had one bed in the entire house, but she could sleep on the couch for a couple of nights. Grabbing the corners of her bedsheet, she neatened the bed she had left a mess in the morning.  “Alright, my little changelings, who’s ready for bed?” Pharynx huffed, his crest still standing up. Thorax seemed confused by the concept. “Bed...?” “Mhm! It’s where you sleep in so you get a good night’s rest.” “Oh! So like a nest...” “If that’s what you used to sleep in, then yes! Just like a nest.” Thorax placed a hoof on the mattress, making chirping noises. “It’s soft...” Fluttershy smiled. “It’s supposed to be. You wouldn’t want to sleep on the hard wooden floor; that’s why the bed was made! It’ll help you sleep comfortably.” Pharynx climbed up one of the legs, flopping onto the blankets. He didn’t make much of a sound as he curled up on one of the pillows. Thorax followed soon after, diving under the warm covers with an excited click. It did look like her blanket was a bit too big for the small changelings. She yanked the red cover off of the bed, placing it onto her nightstand. Searching through her drawers, she pulled out two small quilts that she had stitched herself.  With tender hooves, she placed one over each of the changelings. If they were anything like bugs they would definitely need warmth on a cold night.  “Thank you, Fluttershy,” Thorax whispered, his eyes beginning to droop.  She smiled. “You’re welcome, dear.” She quietly closed her windows, latching and locking them up. With quiet steps, she flicked the lights off and closed the door, leaving a few inches open. With even quieter hoofsteps, she trotted down her stairs. Draping a small blue blanket across his back, Fluttershy tucked Angel in for the night. This was her favorite part of the day, seeing all her animal friends safely sleeping in their homes after a long day. Harry was in his cave, the birds in their houses, and Elizabeak in her coop. She had to extra make sure on the last one. “Looks like everyone is tucked in,” she hummed to herself. She rearranged her cushions, dusting off the couch. Lining it with the red blanket, she flopped onto her couch, sighing. A nagging feeling in her head prevented her from sleeping. A small, tiny feeling that someone was still up... She turned towards Angel. Nope, he was fast asleep, snoring. She had already checked the chicken coop twice, and no other animal she knew of was still up. Then she looked at the stairs. The stairs that lead up to her room. ”One of them must still be up,” she realized. Trotting over to the stairs, she quietly flew up her stairwell. Peaking through the door she had left open, she could see a silhouette outlined by the window. The door creaked as she stepped into her bedroom, revealing her presence. Pharynx whipped his head around, his eyes narrowed. “Why are you still up?” Fluttershy whispered, her hooves softly clicking against the wooden floor.  The colorful changeling stayed silent, laying his head into his forearms. She sighed, floating towards him. “You should get some sleep, it’ll—“ A low growl made her stiffen. Pharynx shook his head rapidly, refusing. Fluttershy could tell he was tired, but why he was refusing to sleep, she had no idea. “Look...nothing is going to hurt you or your friend here. I can promise that if anything were to happen, it would need to get through me first.” Pharynx gave her a skeptical look. His purple wings buzzed, and a low snapping sound was made as he clicked his lower jaw. “...Just sleep easy tonight,” she cooed, placing her hoof against his shoulder. “I can sing a lullaby if it helps.” He didn’t seem to like the gesture but didn’t object in any way. His shrugging seemed more like a ‘try, whatever’ type of shrug. Either way, she was determined to try. Clearing her throat, she began her favorite lullaby. “Hush now, Quiet now, It’s time to lay your sleepy head. Hush now, Quiet now, It’s time to go to bed...” Fluttershy took note that Pharynx seemed very disinterested. ”Drifting off to sleep, The exciting day is behind you. Drifting off to sleep, Now let the dream world find you...” Pharynx began to close his eyes, her angelic voice lulling him to sleep. With one last inhale, she sang the final verse of the song, her voice still soft. ”Hush now, Quiet now, Lay down your sleepy head. Hush now, Quiet now, It’s time to go to bed...” Pharynx had completely fallen asleep at this point, his chest rising and falling as he slept. With a careful hoof, Fluttershy placed the young changeling back onto the pillow. The blanket he had kicked off was draped along his shoulder as she tucked him in. He looked so peaceful... With a smile, she shut the door behind her, letting him sleep for the night