Thorax was busy doing paperwork in his “office” at the Hive when the door banged open. Pharynx gave only five words to explain the situation he was now in.
“Get. This. Thing. Off. Me.” He demanded.
Apex was currently bouncing on his head, and the prince looked about ready to throw the nymph across the room with his magic. It didn’t help that a few passing changelings out in the hallway had noticed the situation Pharynx was in and had begun laughing.
“Papa Thorax, ‘m booooored.” Apex whined. “An’ Uncle Pharynx sai’ he won’ play with me.”
“Oh did he?” Thorax raised an eyebrow, pushing away the paper he’d been writing on. “You know, I was just about finished, but now that I think about it, I have a few more things to take care of. I guess Pharynx will have to watch you for a while longer.”
“What?!” Pharynx exclaimed, stepping all the way into Thorax’s office. “No way am I babysitting this thing!”
“That ‘thing’ is your nephew, Pharynx.”
“Not biologically!” Pharynx hissed. Apex, it seemed, had his own complaints on the matter. He took off and flew to Thorax.
“Bu’ he’s so borin’ when we’re no’ trainin’.” Apex whispered into Thorax’s ear, making the King laugh.
“I know Apex, but it’s just for a little longer, I promise.” Thorax told him
“Thorax, I am not watching your grub. He practically attacked me on the way over here. Do you think I let him climb on me like I was a jungle gym?!”
“Pharynx, you’re the General of our army. Don’t tell me you weren’t able to stop a nymph from climbing on your head.”
Pharynx opened his mouth to respond, but none came. He knew that arguing would only prove Thorax’s point. He had no choice but to resort to… the truth.
“Fine. I just didn’t want to hurt the little guy, happy?” Pharynx admitted.
“Yes. I finally have proof you do care about him. Not that I needed it. Did you really think you could mask your love for him?”
“Of course no-” Pharynx broke off as Thorax lifted Apex and set him down on Pharynx’s back.
“I’m only asking for you to watch him a little longer, is that too much to ask?”
“It is when it’s Apex.” Pharynx mumbled, turning to leave.
Pharynx didn’t want to admit it, but Thorax was right. He had come to care for the little bug as family. Despite all the trouble Apex sometimes caused, Pharynx loved him. He had swelled with pride when Apex perfected his first pounce. His heart leapt with affection whenever he found Apex cuddled in a cluster nap with his ‘Papa Thorax’. Though he still had no intention to join the two, watching them was just as fulfilling.
While Pharynx had been reflecting on this, he found himself making his way to Hive exit that would take them to the sandy hollow where he and Apex trained. It was typically deserted due to being both on the outskirts of the Hive and nowhere near any of Thorax’s activities.
Apex was still riding on his back, causing stares of shock at the sight of the little nymph sitting on their General’s back. It didn’t help that Pharynx seemed unfazed and not angry. He wasn’t, for the record. Just a bit frustrated.
“How in the name of good King Thorax did Apex swing that?!” one changeling gasped.
“Never thought I’d see the day someling other than ‘Papa’ Thorax managed to get close to the prince.” another ling added in an undertone.
“It’s Apex we’re talking about, everyling knows he’s the King’s favorite. It was only a matter of time before Prince Pharynx got in on it. Bet he’s hoof-picked the little guy to succeed him or something.” another muttered.
“Alright, that’s enough gawking. Back to work, all of you!” Pharynx demanded, whipping his head around to glare at them.
As the changelings ran off, Pharynx sighed. They actually made a good point. If things kept going the way they were now, would Apex eventually end up succeeding Thorax as the next King, or even himself as the next general?
But Thorax’s love of Ember was no secret to the beta changeling-though Thorax had no clue his brother was even aware-and they might have kids one day. And, well, he hated to admit it, but his own relationship with that Tempest mare was getting stronger. He might end up settling down with her, and well, if they both had nymphs of their own, would Apex still be first in line to the throne and/or army?
Well, he probably had to tell someone about him and Tempest first, but his point still stood. Though he had no idea why he was making a point to himself in the first pla-
“Uncle Pharynx, ‘re you jus’ gonna s’are in’o space all day or ‘re we gonna do something fun?” Apex whined.
Pharynx sighed, stopping both his walking and his train of thought. They’d reached the clearing anyway. He turned his head to glance at the nymph perched on his back. Surprisingly, Pharynx could taste a bit of sadness coming off the young changeling. He was making a good show of seeming bored, Pharynx gave him that. But his scent betrayed his true emotions.
“Hey, you didn’t let what those lings said get to you, did you grub?”
Apex remained silent, hopping off Pharynx’s back.
“Grub, I’m talking to you, answer the question.” Pharynx said. Apex scuffed his hoof in the dirt.
“Sorry… Pharynx. I’s jus’… Papa Thorax is better a’ feeling’s. I jus’ don’ wanna make you mad, I know you don’ like talking ‘bout this s’uff.”
Pharynx was startled. He hadn’t expected Apex to know he wasn’t typically interested in things like this. Apex didn’t seem to notice, if he did, he didn’t seem to put two and two together.
“Apex…” Pharynx sighed and sat down, motioning for Apex to join him. Once he had, Pharynx continued. “Look, you’re partly right. I’m not that into all the touchy-feely stuff like the others. I’m definitely not as sensitive as Thorax, the guy invented Feeling Circles, noling can top that.”
“I's a Feeling’s Forum.”
“Hivemother, you sound just like him.” Pharynx teased lightly, giving a sigh, then rubbed the nymph’s head, looking down at him. “But just because I don’t get into those sorts of things doesn’t mean I can’t care. Just tell me what’s bothering you, okay?”
“I’s jus’…” Apex looked away. “Wha’ if Papa Thorax doesn’ like me forever? He gave me to you jus’ for some borin' papers. Wha’ if he’s jus’ ‘tending to le' me s’ay with him, ‘cause ‘m an orphan? My… my paren’s bein’ gone is kin’a his faul’, I know ‘cause the o’er nymphs sai’ so. Wha’ if he jus’ wan's to make himself look good by lookin’ af’er me?”
“Yep, you definitely let those changelings back there get to you.” Pharynx pulled Apex against him. “Apex, Thorax loves you, I know he does. Not just because you’re an orphan, but because you remind him of himself. You have a chance to grow up happy, in a way he never did. That’s why he dotes on you.”
“Then why’d he make you wa’ch me?”
“Probably to get us to bond outside of our training, if I know him as well as I think I do.” Pharynx replied. “He’s also most likely legitimately busy anyway, considering the work I saw him doing yesterday before he went to go play with his favorite nymph.”
“Me?”
“No, the other little spunky green and red grub.” Pharynx joked, leaning down to nuzzle him gently. “Of course you, who else would I mean?”
Apex laughed and jumped up, hugging Pharynx around the neck.
“Thanks Pharynx.” he murmured.
“You can still call me ‘Uncle Pharynx’ outside of the you know, grub. Just… don’t let the other lings hear, okay?” Pharynx told him.
“Cause i’ would ruin your rep’ation as toughes’ changeling e’er?”
“That, and it would look like I’ve given them freedom to call me whatever they want.”
Apex giggled softy, and Pharynx smiled. After giving Apex a few more minutes to hug him, Pharynx decided to continue their training and show him how to shapeshift better. They began going from form to form without transforming back in between. Thorax found them like that, mere bursts of light in the clearing.
“Apex? Pharynx?” Thorax asked, and they both transformed back.
“Yes Papa Thorax?” Apex asked. He said it a little too politely. Thorax looked between them, noticing the devilish grin on Pharynx’s face. He had never seen his brother look like that, but he had seen…
“Apex, Pharynx, stop fooling around, this is important!” Thorax cried in exasperation.
“Aw come on!” ‘Pharynx’ groaned, stomping his hoof in annoyance. “We almost had you!”
“What gave it away?” ‘Apex’ asked him. That was definitely not something he would say, and Pharynx would never stomp his hoof like he had done.
“I have only ever seen Apex wear a smirk like that before. Now hurry up and change back to normal.” Thorax demanded. Both changelings sighed, and in a flash, “Apex” had become Pharynx, and “Pharynx” Apex.
“Next lesson, I’m going to teach you to mask your emotions grub, we would have pulled it off if you hadn’t given us away.” Pharynx told Apex, who glared up at the bigger changeling.
“Well I wouldn’a sai’ Papa Thorax so nic’ly!”
“I was just uncomfortable calling my own brother ‘papa’. You can understand that.”
“Are you both quite finished?” Thorax asked, and they turned back to him sheepishly.
“Yes...”
“Yes Papa Thorax.”
“Good. Apex, I have something to show you and Pharynx. Come on, let’s go to my office.”
Thorax led the two back down the hall to his room, which they entered. Pharynx took a seat by the desk, and Apex landed on his head. Pharynx didn’t even flinch. Thorax eyed him.
“What? I may not enjoy wearing him like a second set of antlers in front of other ‘lings, but it’s not that bad in general.” Pharynx defended, making Thorax smile briefly at his achievement.
“Whas’ the thing?” Apex interrupted, and Thorax turned his attention back to the matter at hoof.
“Well Apex, I know Pharynx and I both consider you a part of our family, but I wanted to make it official.” Thorax showed them a paper.
By the power of Federal Law, the child known as Apex Cornea will now be placed under the care of a parent / guardian. By signing, they choose to accept responsibility over this foal, should Apex Cornea choose to be under the care of him / her.
Parent/Guardian’s signature: King Thorax Glyder
Child’s signature:
Thorax’s signature was neatly written on the line under it, and there was space for a second signature beside his own. Apex looked up with joyful tears in his eyes.
“I ge’ ‘m pro'ly s’posed to sign too, but why’s there an ex’ra bi’ by your name Papa Thorax?” Apex asked, which Pharynx had also been wondering.
“That space is for Pharynx. He would take on the position of an Uncle. All he needs to do is sign his name.” Thorax explained, lifting a quill and holding it out to the older changeling.
Apex jumped down, and Pharynx caught him deftly in his hooves. Pharynx looked up at his brother, who smiled kindly at him. Pharynx took the quill in his magic and lifted Apex to see.
Parent/Guardian’s signature: King Thorax Glyder, Prince-General Pharynx Elytron
Apex hugged Pharynx, then flew to Thorax. The King held him gently, giving him a quick nuzzle.
“Now, Apex, your turn.”
Apex took the quill eagerly in his own magic and signed his name under theirs.
Child’s signature: Apex
“Wha’ now?” Apex asked
“This was just to make it official. We can still act the same way we do now, we’re just legally a true family. Father, son, and uncle.” Thorax replied.
“They do know I’m his uncle, right?” Pharynx asked
“Every creature knows you’re my brother Pharynx. Those working at the legal office will know, and if they don’t, Princess Twilight or Princess Celestia will probably catch wind of it and let them know.” Thorax assured him.
“Fine then.” Pharynx consented, then both brothers looked at Apex.
The nymph’s taste told them he wanted to hug them both at once, so Thorax stood and moved to Pharynx, sitting by him. Apex hugged Thorax, reaching for Pharynx, who shifted closer.
“C‘mere grub.” Pharynx took his new nephew from Thorax and pulled him in close.
“I can s’ill call you Papa Thorax, righ’?” Apex asked Thorax, who laughed.
“Of course you can Apex, like I said, this is just for legal reasons. If you’d still rather call me that, you can.” Thorax assured him.
“I’ ‘minds me of when we me’. I’ll ne’er forge’ i’ this way.” Apex explained, then yawned.
“I think someling missed his nap time an hour ago.” Thorax said.
Thorax leaned down to nuzzle the nymph still curled in Pharynx’s hooves. Pharynx allowed himself a small smile at the sheer adorableness of his nephew and brother’s interactions.
“Did no’.” Apex grumbled in response to Thorax.
“Come on Apex, I’ll tell you a story. I’m your official dad now, I have to make sure you get enough sleep.” Thorax urged.
Thorax lifted the stubborn nymph with his magic and carried him out, headed for his bedroom. Pharynx followed, chuckling.
“Can’t believe I’m saying this, but… there’s no other ‘ling I’d pick to be my nephew.” Pharynx murmured.
Pharynx watched Thorax lay down with Apex, curling protectively around the little nymph as he drifted off into dreamland. Thorax was talking, though Pharynx couldn’t make out the words. He was clearly telling Apex the promised story. Pharynx smiled as he watched. Yep. Life was good.