Metamorphosis sat up in bed, yawning. He got up and stretched slightly, then headed out of his room. All his instincts urged him to go back to bed, it was getting colder. Changelings used to hibernate in the winter to conserve their love, but they had no need for that now.
In spite of there not being a need to hibernate, many changelings were still getting drowsy as it got colder. And today was especially chilly, meaning Metamorphosis saw many changelings yawning and struggling to stay awake. Metamorphosis then pricked his ears as the sound of his sons’ bantering reached them. He sighed with a small shake of his head and followed the voices.
“Ahh!” he yelped, stumbling.
“Sorry Metamorphosis!” Sillia yelped.
Sillia, Cornicle, Fema, and Tibius had fallen asleep in the hallway again. Metamorphosis laughed softly as they stood up.
“It’s okay, I’m not mad.” Metamorphosis said as he regained his balance. “How about I don’t tell Pharynx if you four go nap in your rooms, okay?”
“Okay!” they all chorused, beaming as they raced off.
Metamorphosis chuckled and continued on his way. He heard the arguing coming from the throne room and entered. He then looked around for his sons.
Thorax was standing with Pharynx by his throne. A small, familiar green nymph was curled up on the throne, napping. Metamorphosis trotted over to them.
“Morning boys.” Metamorphosis greeted, rubbing the nymph’s head. He smiled and yawned, eyes opening. “Morning Apex.”
“Oh, dad, there you are.” Thorax said, getting his attention, looking at Pharynx. “Tell Pharynx he needs to go lie down.”
“I do not!” Pharynx retorted
“Um… why does he need to lie down, Thorax?” Metamorphosis asked
“He’s sick.” Thorax explained
“I am not sick!” Pharynx stomped a hoof in frustration.
Metamorphosis grabbed his hoof to hold him still, getting a better look. Pharynx did look tired, and his ears were dropping. His nose was sort of red and Metamorphosis noticed Pharynx looked like he was having trouble standing. He touched his muzzle gently to Pharynx’s forehead, feeling a searing hot temperature.
“You are sick, Pharynx. You have a fever.”
“No I don’t!” Pharynx protested
“Yes you do!” Thorax moved closer. “And you’re sick because you didn’t listen to me last night about not going outside. It was freezing and you spent a good two hours out there!”
“Someone needed to patrol, and good luck getting those soft-shelled soldiers to do it!” Pharynx retorted
“Pharynx, you really went outside in the cold?” Metamorphosis shook his head. “Come on, I’m taking you to bed.”
“No!” Pharynx pulled away from Metamorphosis. “I’m fine, honestly. Besides, Tempest’s coming over and I promised her we’d do some sparring.”
“You are not overexerting yourself like that while you’re sick.” Metamorphosis said sternly.
“Watch me.” Pharynx sneered.
Pharynx turned and stalked off. Or, tried to. He stumbled, barely catching himself in time. Thorax rolled his eyes slightly and joined Metamorphosis. The two trotted over to Pharynx and Metamorphosis reached out a hoof to steady him.
“Pharynx, please. You’re sick, come on, let’s get you to bed.”
Pharynx rolled his eyes. “I am not si-” he broke off, coughing.
“You were saying?” Thorax asked
“That doesn’t mean anything!” Pharynx protested, then sneezed. “Ugh…”
“Come on Pharynx, bed.” Metamorphosis grabbed Pharynx’s hoof and pulled him away.
“Dad…” Pharynx moaned
Metamorphosis led Pharynx back to his room. Pharynx begrudgingly laid down in bed and let Metamorphosis pull the blankets over him.
“Dad, really, I’m fine.”
“You’re fine when I say you are.” Metamorphosis replied sharply.
“Dad?” Thorax poked his head into the room. Metamorphosis went to him. “Is he okay? I’d stay and help you look after him but I don’t want Apex to get sick and there’s no one to watch him… plus I have some political things to do…”
“Heh, Pharynx will be fine Thorax.” Metamorphosis nuzzled Thorax. “Go take care of your work and look after your own son. I’ll take care of Pharynx.”
“Okay. I’ll send Tempest over when she gets her-”
Crash!
“So close.” Pharynx muttered
Thorax and Metamorphosis turned around. Pharynx had tried to get out of bed and knocked over the bedside table. He groaned as he picked himself up.
“Pharynx…” Metamorphosis chided
“Whatever… I almost made i-i-achoo!”
“Bed.” Metamorphosis ordered. Pharynx rolled his eyes and clambered back in.
“Are you sure you can handle it dad…?” Thorax asked nervously.
“It’ll be fine.” Metamorphosis promised him. Thorax sighed and nodded before leaving.
Metamorphosis turned back to Pharynx. He trotted over and nuzzled Pharynx affectionately.
“Daad… geroff…”
“Heh, get some rest son.”
“Nooo…”
“You need to rest so you can get better.”
“No’ a chance…” Pharynx grunted.
Metamorphosis chuckled and laid down beside Pharynx, eliciting a grunt of annoyance from him. Pharynx groaned as Metamorphosis placed a foreleg around him.
“Go to sleep son.”
“Nope.” Pharynx then coughed a few times and moaned, rubbing his stomach. “Ugh…”
“Come on Pharynx, please.”
“I… uh…”
“Need some help?” a familiar voice asked
Metamorphosis looked up and smiled, rising. “Tempest.”
“Tempy?” Pharynx raised his head sleepily.
The dark purple unicorn trotted over and gave Pharynx a gentle kiss on the cheek. Metamorphosis smiled and stepped back. Tempest let Pharynx nuzzle her lovingly. He then turned slightly and sneezed.
“You should get some rest, Phar.”
“B-But Tempy…” Pharynx coughed and rested his head back against the pillow. “I’m…”
“Sick.” Tempest finished, stroking his cheek gently with a hoof. “Come on bug, even warriors take care of themselves.”
Pharynx blinked sleepily, and Metamorphosis trotted closer. He leaned down and nuzzled his son, ignoring the burning heat.
“Please Pharynx? It’s the only way you can get better.”
Pharynx hesitated, then nodded slowly. His eyes closed and he coughed slightly as his head hit the pillow. Tempest smiled and climbed into the bed beside him, lying down on top of the covers and wrapping a hoof over him.
“I trust you’ll be staying, Tempest?” Metamorphosis asked
“I already took the day off.” Tempest shrugged, nuzzling Pharynx and kissing his cheek. “And the bug clearly needs my supervision, no offense.”
Metamorphosis shook his head. “None taken Tempest. I know that I’m probably going to end up being too soft on him, as he’s my son.”
Tempest smiled and pulled Pharynx against her. Metamorphosis smiled and leaned against the bed, watching Pharynx quietly. Tempest rubbed Pharynx’s back gently, and the beta changeling settled down, falling asleep.
“Go ahead and rest with him Tempest.” Metamorphosis murmured. “I’ll watch over you both.”
“Thanks Metamorphosis.” Tempest smiled, pulling Pharynx closer and closing her eyes.
Metamorphosis smiled softly as Tempest’s breathing got slower and deeper. He put a hoof on the bed, smiling. He’d wait just a few more minutes, then go get some soup for Pharynx. Metamorphosis smiled at his son.
“I’ll take good care of you Pharynx. I promise, my son.” Metamorphosis whispered, meaning every word of it.