Ocellus, Apex, and Pharynx were snuggled up to Thorax as they rested, trying to recover from their recent cold. Outside, rain poured down from the sky, trailing down the window.
Thorax was looking after them all. A book lay in Ocellus’ hooves, but she struggled to concentrate on it. The four had been reading the book together before Pharynx had fallen asleep. Thorax had sworn he’d heard Pharynx mumbling comments on things the characters did, despite feigning indifference.
However, before they’d been able to finish the book, the rain started, and Pharynx fell asleep soon after. Though it seemed he was the only one who didn’t mind the rain. Ocellus and Apex were still up, and looked nervous. Thorax leaned down to nuzzle Apex as thunder cracked outside.
Apex yelped and burrowed into Thorax, while Ocellus shuddered and pressed closer to Thorax’s chest. Pharynx just smiled sleepily and wrapped his forelegs around one of Thorax’s, snuggling closer against his little brother.
“I-Is he scared too?” Ocellus whispered, looking at Pharynx
“No, I think he’s enjoying it.” Thorax leaned down and nuzzled Pharynx’s forehead, making him stir. “Cuddlebug? You awake?”
“Mm… wha’ is it snugglebug?” Pharynx mumbled, not opening his eyes and pressing closer.
“How do you feel about the storm?” Thorax asked, leaning down and kissing Pharynx’s forehead.
“It’s nice… makes me…” Pharynx yawned and rested his head against his brother’s foreleg, still smiling. “Sleepy…”
“See?” Thorax said, smiling softly as he pulled Apex closer with his hoof and cuddled him.
There was another crack from the lightning, followed by a loud boom. Apex yelped and whimpered, beginning to tear up. Ocellus whimpered as well and moved closer to Thorax, nuzzling up against him. Thorax sighed as Apex cried into him. Pharynx opened one eye and then the other, struggling and sitting up. He righted himself onto his stomach and gazed bleary-eyed at Thorax and the young ‘lings.
“Huh? What’s…? Oh.” Pharynx sighed “Thorax, move over.”
“What? No Pharynx, you’re sick, you need rest.” Thorax put a hoof around Pharynx’s shoulders and drew him against his side. Thorax then pressed a kiss to Pharynx’s forehead, and the general smiled slightly.
Pharynx then coughed, sniffed, and shook his head. “Relax Thor, I’m fine. And I’ll go to sleep after, I promise. Just let me help you.”
Pharynx reached out and scooped up Apex in his foreleg, drawing him close. “C’mere Apex. You too, ‘Cellus.”
Ocellus moved closer to him cautiously. Pharynx smiled kindly at her and brought her closer with his magic. He settled Ocellus by his chest and waited for her to rest her head on him. When she did, Pharynx sighed and nuzzled them both.
“Hear that?” he asked softly.
“Th-Thunder?” Apex murmured.
“What else?” Pharynx prompted
“Rain?” Ocellus tried, instinctively cuddling against the bigger changeling.
Pharynx curled a foreleg around her and nodded. “Yes. But close your eyes, and listen closer.”
He then pulled open the curtains Thorax had closed earlier. Thorax shot him a warning look but Pharynx shook his head at him. Apex and Ocellus both closed their eyes and pricked their ears, doing as he had instructed. Pharynx kissed Apex gently on the forehead, then after a moment, nuzzled Ocellus in comfort.
Ocellus opened her eyes again after a minute, smiling. “I get it… it has a rhythm.”
“Mhm.” Pharynx said as Apex opened his eyes. “Like a song.”
“I’s s’ill scary…” Apex mumbled, and Pharynx lowered his head down onto the mattress, both from fatigue and to better look him in the eye.
“I know it is to you two. But just close your eyes and listen for the song, then pretty soon you’ll be asleep, and the storm won’t matter.” he whispered
“That makes sense…” Ocellus mumbled, as Pharynx lifted both her and Apex back to Thorax.
“Mhm. Now snuggle up to Thorax and try to get some sleep.” Pharynx said, sneezing softly and yawning before settling back into his original position.
Apex and Ocellus nestled against Thorax’s chest, closing their eyes and listening to the storm soothe them to sleep. Soon, the two nymphs had drifted off. Thorax smiled and nuzzled Pharynx’s forehead, kissing his cheek.
“Thank you cuddlebug.”
“S’no problem snugglebug.” Pharynx mumbled, coughing slightly.
Thorax put a hoof on his head and rubbed it gently. Pharynx sighed and shifted, snuggling against him.
“Rest now, cuddlebug.”
“Fine…” Pharynx grunted, cuddling up to him. “W-When Ocellus gets up, wake me… I wanna hear how that story ends…”
“Aww, you were listening.”
“Uh… maybe.” Pharynx admitted, yawning. He closed his eyes and pressed close.
“How’d you know that would work anyway?”
“Heh… I told you the same thing once, back in the old days. We were little, a couple months younger than Apex… not surprised you don’t remember.” Pharynx coughed a bit. “Still, I figured it would work, those two are just like you.”
Thorax smiled. “I remember now. A-And you sang to me…”
“Sh-Shut up, I did not.”
“Yes you did.” Thorax chuckled, nuzzling him. “I remember the words now.”
“You better not…”
Thorax simply smiled and began to sing softly.
“As the storm begins outside
And the rain begins to fall
Hear the lightning strike and thunder bang-”
“Thorax…” Pharynx tried to protest, but yawned, cutting himself off. Thorax smiled and nuzzled him, continuing.
“You may tremble with fright
But you need only remember
The way to calm your fears
Listen close to the storm
And within the crashes, hear the song
Rhythm beats inside the clouds
The Song of the Storm.”
Thorax finished, smiling at Pharynx.
“You have the better singing voice, you know.”
“I ha’e you…” Pharynx grumbled, yawning again and snuggling up to Thorax. Soon, he was asleep.
Thorax giggled at Pharynx’s last remark, tucking the blankets around his brother a bit better.
“Love you too Pharynx.” he nuzzled him gently. “You’re a great brother.”
Thorax watched the sleeping changelings around him, smiling at them all.
“Have a good sleep,” Thorax nuzzled Apex, “My little hyper sprite,” he turned to Pharynx and kissed his forehead, “My tough cuddlebug,” he finally turned to Ocellus, “And my prized pupil.” he smoothed the frill on her head, smiling.
With that, the proud alpha changeling laid down by the other changelings-his family. He closed his eyes, following the advice Pharynx had given to him so long ago, that had now been passed on to the younger generation. Listening to the storm, Thorax soon fell asleep.