//------------------------------// // Longest Night // Story: Pride and Joy // by Melody Song //------------------------------// -------2017, C.E.H (Chrysalis Era Hive)------- The Winter Solstice. Known to the changelings as “The Longest Night”. The last night before hibernation. They would take all their provisions, dried fish and jerky, berries, the last bits of preserved love they could spare, and have a feast. Of course, Chrysalis was given all the best food. The changelings had been growing lethargic and tired as the weather got colder. Soon, at midnight, they would gather into their nests and rest. Their Queen would then cast a spell on them to send them into a winter long hibernation, so they wouldn’t rouse until the weather was warm again. Now, someling was stalking through the halls of the Hive. A familiar changeling with black chitin, a jagged purple carapace and wings, and lavender eyes. He was calling out to the drowsy changelings in the halls. Head General Pharynx. Eldest son of Chrysalis and Prince of the Hive. “Alright everyling, off to bed, it’s almost-” Pharynx broke off with a yawn. “-hibernation time. Get to your nests, let’s go.” “Pharynx…” Thorax stumbled after his brother, yawning widely. “Come on, it’s late, mother’s about to put everyling to sleep. We need to go to bed.” “Oh be quiet wimp, just a few more hallways.” Pharynx retorted, eyes narrowing. “Pharynx, you’re tired and it’s making you cranky-” “What?!” Pharynx snarled “Eep!” Thorax stepped back. “I mean… it’s late, brother. And you know mother won’t thank you, you do this every year. You almost pass out just to do it. She never even notices.” “Our mother is the Queen, of course she doesn’t have time to notice every little thing.” Pharynx retorted. “Still.” Thorax groaned and put a hoof to his stomach. “What’s the matter? Hungry?” “Of course! Y-You know mother eats all the good food herself…” Pharynx rolled his eyes. Thorax trotted closer. “Please Pharynx, everyling knows to go to their nest anyway.” Thorax begged Pharynx yawned again, then huffed. “Fine, anything to stop your whining.” Thorax nodded gratefully, and the two brothers headed to their room. Thorax immediately curled up in their shared nest, yawning. Pharynx staggered slightly and flopped into the moss beside his brother. The nest wasn’t the best sleeping place, but the moss had ferns and bracken in it, unlike the nests of the other changelings. Being the sons of the Queen did give them some advantages, such as better nest materials. Though they still had to share one nest. Pharynx curled up in the nest and closed his eyes. He buried his head in the moss, trying to doze off. It would make it easier on their mother to cast the hibernation spell if he was already sleeping. Thorax seemed to have no trouble, sleeping calmly beside his brother. All the changelings would sleep in their nests, tucked safely as deep into the Hive as possible. There, it would be the warmest, and they wouldn’t feel the chill of the storms outside. Only once the spring winds were blowing would the spell relinquish them to waking. “Mm… than’ you mother…” Pharynx mumbled as he pressed into the moss, saying his nightly prayer to the Queen, “Than’ you for protectin’ us…” Thorax shifted beside him, and flung his foreleg over Pharynx. Pharynx grunted, but felt some cold air blow by in the hallway. He then instinctively pressed against his brother. “Nigh’ Pharynx…” Thorax mumbled. “See you ‘n the spring…” Pharynx sighed but pressed closer for warmth. “Nigh’ brother…” he mumbled as he closed his eyes. "See you in th' spring..." -----2020 T.E.H (Thorax's Era Hive)------- Pharynx yawned and rolled over in bed. Something was poking him in the side. “Pharynx…” “Go ‘way…” “Come on Pharynx.” “Sleeping…” “Pharynx, if you don’t wake up you’ll miss Longest Night!” Pharynx sighed and opened his lavender eyes. He sat up, yawning, and looked over at his beaming brother. “Only you Thorax…” Pharynx sighed “What’s that supposed to mean?” Thorax asked, seeming hurt. “I’m just saying, what’s the point of celebrating Longest Night anymore?” Pharynx asked as he got up, stretching. His cyan chitin cracked pleasingly and he sighed. “I mean, we don’t hibernate now, so…” “I know, but the tradition is too deeply ingrained in our culture just to throw away…” Thorax said “I guess so…” Pharynx sighed, rubbing his eyes. “Why don’t we all nap at midnight, just like in the Old Days?” “I’m planning on it. But we have a whole day of activities to do first!” Thorax said cheerfully, wrapping his brother in a hug. Pharynx groaned and shook his brother off. Thorax continued smiling. “And guess what Pharynx? We all get as much good food as we want!” Pharynx opened his mouth to respond, then hesitated. “That… is actually a good idea…” “I know! Now let’s go, come on! Apex is waiting for us in the nursery!” Thorax happily dragged his brother away. “Nooo, Thoraaaax, ‘m still sleeepyyy…” “It’s just your body readjusting to not hibernating, Pharynx! Don’t worry, some activities will wake you up!” ----------------------------------------------------- And so, after a long day of Thorax dragging his brother around the Hive for various “fun” activities, it was night. Pharynx did enjoy the feast, he ate as much as he wanted, stuffing himself. Thorax did the same, keeping an eye on both his brother and Apex to make sure they didn’t overeat. “Heh, wow, you were hungry.” Thorax remarked as Pharynx finished his food. “Well, you have been dragging me across the Hive all day.” Pharynx remarked, stifling a burp. Apex giggled and finished the rest of his food, also burping. “Heheh, fair enough.” Thorax nuzzled him, picking up Apex. “But I’m surprised you’re not worried about ruining all your hard work in getting yourself physically fit.” “Well… I’m also trying to fill up to be ready for hibernation.” Pharynx admitted. “Storing up on food makes sure your body has plenty to keep you alive for the winter.” “I know that Pharynx. But we’re not hibernating.” Thorax reminded him. “Force of habit.” Pharynx shrugged. “Besides, I’m just going to sleep for the rest of the night, and probably most of tomorrow morning, so…” “Fine.” Thorax sighed, giggling as Apex climbed onto his head. Pharynx nodded and stood up from the cafeteria table. He headed out, trotting to his room. Thorax followed fast behind. “Phar? You okay?” “Of course I’m okay!” Pharynx snapped, then yawned. Thorax giggled. “Aww, is someling cranky?” Thorax asked, nuzzling him. “Does the big brave cuddlebug need a nap?” “Sh-Shuddap…” Pharynx yawned. “I’m not cranky.” “Heheh, really?” “Of course really!” Pharynx retorted sharply. “Well, seems like you’re cranky to me.” Thorax teased. “‘M sleepy too.” Apex remarked, yawning. Thorax lifted him off his head, cradling him. Pharynx rolled his eyes and yawned again. “I’m just worn out, and I ate a lot.” “Come on then.” Thorax pulled Pharynx to his room. “Heheh, let’s get you to bed my cranky cuddlebug.” Pharynx huffed, but gently took Apex from Thorax and climbed into bed. He sank into the warm sheets with a soft sigh. Apex snuggled up by his head, yawning and burrowing under the blankets. Thorax went over to the drawers and pulled out the firefly lantern from underneath it. All of the rooms had at least one. Thorax shook it slightly to rouse the bugs, then set it on the top of the drawers. He then trotted back to Pharynx, reaching and rubbing between his brother’s shoulderblades. “Mm…” Pharynx yawned and stretched out, smiling. Thorax giggled and kissed him on the cheek. “Thinking about the Old Days again?” “Never would’ve been this comfy in the old Longest Night…” Pharynx replied, half to himself. “And no cold air’s coming in…” “Heh, that’s why blankets are so nice.” Thorax said, pulling the blanket over Pharynx, since only Apex was under them. “But you know what you did have?” “Mm… wha’?” “Me.” Thorax smiled, lifting up the blanket and climbing into the bed, wrapping his hooves around the smaller changeling. Apex, drowsy but still awake, climbed out of the way, settling himself by their heads, curling up like a cat. Pharynx blushed but smiled, giggling softly. “Heheh… Thorax…” Thorax smiled and kissed his cheek. “You’re a cute little spoon you know.” “Mm… wha’e’er…” Thorax smiled and nuzzled him. “Go ahead and sleep cuddlebug, it’s what the Longest Night is for.” Pharynx nodded, closing his eyes. “Goodnight Pharynx. Night Apex.” Apex gave a yawn in response, already asleep. Thorax chuckled softly, kissing the nymph on the forehead. He then pulled his brother close, and Pharynx didn’t pull away. He merely pressed back into the warmth of Thorax’s body. He closed his eyes, almost asleep. But first… “Mm…” Pharynx cuddled against Thorax, who tightened his grip on him. “Pharynx?” “Gotta… say the prayer…” Thorax’s face fell slightly. “Pharynx… you know mom-” “Than’ you, brother…” Pharynx mumbled, and Thorax gasped, “Than’ you… for bringing us outta the dark… leading us to a better way… for never giving up on me… I love you…” Thorax cried softly, pulling Pharynx close. “I love you too Phar.” Pharynx smiled in his sleep, rolling over to face Thorax and burying his face in his brother’s chest. Thorax smiled, cuddling him, glancing at Apex in reassurance he was still asleep. He then closed his eyes, joining his brother and son in sleep. The two brothers slept peacefully through Longest Night. The only light in the room being from the shining moon outside and the lantern of flittering lightning bugs.