“She’s not gonna like this…” Pharynx muttered, pacing around in front of Thorax.
They were outside the Hive. Thorax was standing at the entryway. Metamorphosis was standing beside his youngest son, watching Pharynx with slight concern. The beta changeling seemed worried, and Metamorphosis could tell his defense instincts were kicking in. He wanted to protect Ocellus from the truth, to stop her from getting upset.
“I know she won’t, but it’s not like we can’t tell her about this… she would find out eventually…” Thorax replied in a soft voice. “It would be better for her to hear it from us. P-Please just go get her Pharynx…”
“I will Thorax…” Pharynx lifted into the air. “And bro…?”
“Y-Yeah…?”
“Do what you need to to calm down before we get back, Thor. I… I think it would be best if you talked with her in the throne room, and you should probably be as calm as possible…”
Thorax nodded in understanding. With that, Pharynx flew away. Metamorphosis, who stood beside his youngest son, put a hoof on his shoulder.
“Come on Thorax. Do you want to go rest for a bit before Pharynx returns?” Metamorphosis suggested. “Or go to the nursery? Apex should be awake by now.”
Thorax took a breath. “No, I’m okay, dad…”
“Thorax?”
“I’m the King, dad. I have to be okay. I have to be strong for the Hive. For Ocellus.” Thorax looked at the throne when they entered the throne room.
“Alright my son.” Metamorphosis nuzzled him. “I’m very proud of you.”
“Thank you dad.” Thorax smiled at him softly, sitting down on the throne. Metamorphosis sat down beside the throne, waiting beside him.
Pharynx entered the throne room about an hour later. Ocellus was beside him. Metamorphosis glanced at Thorax in concern. He seemed nervous.
“Thorax, we’re back.” Thorax gulped and stood up. Pharynx joined Metamorphosis, the two elder changelings flanking the youngest.
“Ocellus…”
“Thorax… I don’t understand, why did you send Pharynx to get me?” Ocellus asked
“Something… has happened to your parents…” Thorax said slowly.
“W-What?! A-Are they okay?!” Ocellus asked frantically
Thorax looked away, tears beginning to fall. “N-No… you see, they… they provoked a fight with a nearby town… they died almost a week ago, a-and your siblings… without Pupae’s nectar they lasted a week, but…”
Ocellus’ eyes filled with tears. “N-No… Th-Thorax, p-please tell me this is a joke…”
“I really wish it was, Ocellus…” he murmured
Ocellus raced forward and hugged Thorax, beginning to cry. Thorax held her tight.
“Your siblings… they were very brave, Ocellus.” Thorax murmured, his own tears falling. “They said goodbye, and didn’t seem to be in any pain… they… they accepted their… their fate, peacefully. S-Scorpia said she wished she could have seen you again…”
Ocellus sobbed harder, and Metamorphosis rubbed her back in comfort.
“H-Have you… have you buried them yet…?” Ocellus asked in a low voice.
“We will tomorrow.” Thorax replied. Pharynx stepped forward.
“We’re arranging a warrior’s burial ceremony, Ocellus. The highest honor, you know that. They… they may not exactly deserve it, but… they faced their deaths bravely… they’ve earned it.” Pharynx spoke. Ocellus suddenly pulled away, wiping her eyes.
“O-Okay… I just… I need to be alone…” Ocellus said, voice breaking
“Of course Ocellus.” Thorax nuzzled her. “You can stay here in the Hive for as long as you need, I asked Pharynx to clear it with Twilight.”
“S-So you… told her…?”
“No.” Thorax nuzzled her. “I assumed you’d prefer the news be shared with them when you were ready. Pharynx just told her it was an emergency, and that you needed to remain at the Hive for the time being.”
Ocellus nodded, backing away. She sniffled, rubbing her eyes to wipe away the tears. The young changeling then turned and raced out of the throne room. Thorax wiped his eyes, still crying. He slumped back down into his throne.
“I messed up…” Thorax mumbled
“No you didn’t Thorax.” Metamorphosis soothed.
“Yes I did… she’s heartbroken, dad…”
“You did the best you could, Thorax. We have all had over a week to come to terms with Oculus and Pupae being gone. Ocellus has only just been told. Give her some time.”
Thorax nodded, though he still stared after Ocellus. Metamorphosis helped him stand from the throne.
“Come on son, I think you need to lie down.”
“Y-Yeah… alright dad…”
Together, Metamorphosis and Pharynx escorted Thorax back to his room, stopping to get Apex from the nursery. Thorax didn’t protest, merely trotted between them, seeming numb to everything going on around him. They reached Thorax’s room fairly quickly, and Pharynx guided Thorax to his bed while Metamorphosis looked on.
However, as Thorax laid down, and Apex jumped into the bed to cuddle with him, Metamorphosis’ mind was elsewhere. He couldn’t stop worrying about Ocellus, and he could tell by the look in Pharynx’s eyes that he felt the same. Thorax seemed to have similar concerns, he was struggling to fall asleep.
Metamorphosis laid a hoof on Thorax’s shoulder, nuzzling him. Thorax closed his eyes as his father began stroking his head soothingly. Soon, the alpha changeling was in a fitful sleep, hooves tight around Apex as if to ensure the nymph wouldn’t leave. Pharynx cautiously sat down on the bed beside them, clearly on edge, ready to get up if needed. Metamorphosis watched him sadly. Pharynx was expecting Ocellus to need one of them, and was ready to respond to it. Metamorphosis sighed softly.
“Come on Pharynx. There’s not much we can do for Ocellus right now.” Metamorphosis said, gesturing for Pharynx to lie down.
“A-Are you sure…?” Pharynx asked, tensing.
“Yes. We told her what needed to be said and provided comfort. We must give her time to grieve on her own. Right now, it is Thorax that needs our help the most. Okay?” Metamorphosis said, looking at the king. “Just stay with your brother, Pharynx. He needs you.”
Pharynx hesitated, then nodded, lying down. He obeyed his father silently, cuddling up to Thorax. Metamorphosis joined them, hearing Thorax mumbling in his sleep. He wrapped a hoof over Pharynx to bring him closer and nuzzled Thorax. Once he had ensured that his sons were in a more or less peaceful sleep, Metamorphosis was finally able to close his eyes. Slowly, he slipped into the black, seeking the peace of a dream.