//------------------------------// // Chapter 31: I Kissed A Boy // Story: Patrilineality: Making Up For Time We Lost // by Melody Song //------------------------------// Metamorphosis was walking through the hallway of the Hive, glancing around at all the happy changelings. The Hive seemed to have accepted the loss of Ocellus’ family, and though Metamorphosis still detected a distinct, lingering scent of grief, they had begun to recover. “Dad?” Metamorphosis turned, seeing Pharynx approaching him. He smiled, coming closer to the beta changeling. “What is it son?” “I… uh… well…” Pharynx blushed slightly, looking away. “I had something to tell you… in private.” Metamorphosis smiled and nuzzled him. “Alright, how about we go to your room?” “O-Okay, thanks dad.” Pharynx smiled at him momentarily, but as he turned to lead Metamorphosis to his room, one of his soldiers ran up to him. “Prince-General Pharynx, we need your assistance at the south border of the kingdom.” the soldier said, nodding to Metamorphosis politely. “Of course…” Pharynx sighed. “Dad-” “Say no more, we can talk later Pharynx.” “Thanks.” Pharynx smiled at him before gesturing for the soldier to lead him away. Metamorphosis smiled and trotted off, looking for something to do. Later that day, Metamorphosis heard from Tibius that the patrol Pharynx had gone to help had returned. He began searching for Pharynx, hoping to continue their conversation from earlier. Metamorphosis checked the nursery first, to see if Thorax had dragged Pharynx there to play with the nymphs. They weren’t there, and Apex was being occupied by his two friends, so he continued his search. He walked through the Hive, heading towards his son’s rooms next. Metamorphosis heard voices from Thorax’s room, and smiled, knowing they were probably in there. He went over and gently pushed open the door, catching the end of their conversation. “-I just… I’m so confused, Thorax…” Pharynx was saying, words coming out in a rush. “I know, me too Pharynx… I-I hadn’t noticed it for a while, I-I’ve been too busy with the kingdom, but… I just don’t know how to handle this…” “I mean… I love Temp… she’s my everything.” Pharynx continued, and Metamorphosis leaned closer, eyes widening. “But… if I love her so much… why the buck am I noticing…” “I understand Pharynx, I don’t get it… how can I love Emmie if I start finding everyone attractive…” Metamorphosis blinked, confused. He heard hoofsteps briefly, like the sound of one of the two stepping closer to the other. Then, Pharynx spoke in a whisper, so that Metamorphosis had to lean closer. “I-I could… always help with that…” “W-What?” Thorax stammered, clearly confused. “I could help you see for sure.” “R-Really?” “Yeah… I have an idea.” Pharynx admitted, voice growing stronger. “O-Okay… what’s the idea?” “Come here brother. A-And just remember, this doesn’t mean anything.” “Alright?” Metamorphosis heard Thorax moving towards Pharynx, then his eyes widened as he heard his youngest son give a small, muffled gasp. He finally took a breath and peeked into the room. His eyes widened. Pharynx had pulled Thorax in and was kissing him. Full on the lips. And neither of them were fighting it. They pulled apart. Thorax stared at Pharynx in shock, eyes wide. Pharynx blushed and looked away. “Well? How did you feel…?” Pharynx asked hesitantly. “I… It was nice… but…” Thorax looked away. “Ember…” “They won’t have to know about that Thor.” “But…” Metamorphosis couldn’t stand and watch any longer. He entered the room, making his sons turn around and give small gasps. “D-Dad!” Pharynx exclaimed, turning red. “H-How long have you…?” “Enough to realize this is probably what you wanted to talk about.” Metamorphosis said, looking between them, gaze soft. “Do you two…?” “N-No. Not like that.” Thorax told him, blushing as he looked at Pharynx. “It’s just…” “Yes?” “I don’t want to talk about it.” Pharynx shoved past Metamorphosis, gritting his teeth. Metamorphosis looked at Thorax, who shook his head. “I-I’d tell you dad, just… it’s partly his story too…” Metamorphosis nodded in understanding. He then turned and followed Pharynx out. Thorax sighed and followed, still blushing slightly. Metamorphosis and Thorax looked around the Hive for the beta changeling. “He’s not anywhere…” Thorax said, beginning to get worried. “It’s okay Thorax, we’ll find him. Is there anywhere besides the Hive where he could be?” “Well… maybe the training area…” Thorax ran out of the Hive and towards the sandy hollow where Pharynx trained. Metamorphosis ran after him. When they made it to the sandy hollow, it was empty. Thorax teared up and sat down in the open space. Metamorphosis placed a hoof on his shoulder, then looked around. “This is my fault, I just… I was just so confused… we both were…” Thorax sobbed, screwing his eyes shut. “It’s okay Thorax, we’ll find him.” Metamorphosis assured him, rubbing his son’s back. As Metamorphosis looked up, he noticed a figure on the nearby cliff leading into the woods. His eyes widened as he made out the familiar antlers and sparkling diamonds on the figure. “Thorax, look.” Thorax looked up, following his father’s gaze. He gasped, and the two took off. They made it up the cliff and entered the trees. Metamorphosis led Thorax down the path that would lead them up to the figure. They stepped out from the trees, seeing Pharynx sitting on the cliff, staring blankly at the Hive in the distance. “Son?” Metamorphosis walked closer, and Pharynx shifted slightly. “I want to know what’s going on. I’m not upset at you, I promise.” “...It’s… complicated.” Pharynx spoke after a minute. Metamorphosis sat beside him. “You can tell me Pharynx, I promise, I won’t get mad.” Pharynx hesitated, then leaned into Metamorphosis. Thorax sat on his other side, looking at the ground. Pharynx closed his eyes. “I… I’m starting to… have feelings for other stallions…” “What do you mean?” Metamorphosis asked “I mean… I-I really really love Tempest, don’t get me wrong. I just… I’ve found stallions attractive too… as c-cute as her… I just think she’s the… the most beautiful.” Metamorphosis smiled and nuzzled him gently. “It’s okay to be interested in others, you clearly know Tempest is the only one of them you’ll actually be with.” “I guess… I-I was nervous… I wanted to prove it to myself to make sure… that’s why I… why we…” Pharynx looked up at Thorax, and they both blushed. “I-I let him do it too…” Thorax added, looking away. “I just… I’ve always kind of thought… everyone was attractive. I-I mean, not everyone, everyone, but… every gender, kind of creature… Ember is obviously the only creature I love like that, but… it doesn’t change that everyone is beautiful…” “So what you wish to say is…” Metamorphosis prompted. Pharynx took a breath. “Dad… I’m Bisexual.” Metamorphosis smiled, as Thorax looked up, eyes watering. “A-And I’m Pansexual.” “Well then…” Metamorphosis shifted and wrapped his hooves around them both. “I still love you, my sons.” Pharynx stiffened momentarily, while Thorax hugged back tightly, crying tears of joy. Pharynx eventually relaxed, smiling and hugging Metamorphosis as well. He then suddenly tasted something, a familiar scent he’d smelled before, and recognized. Chocolate coffee cake. Metamorphosis chuckled softly, realizing what it meant. However, he said nothing, and simply smiled at his sons, happy they’d gotten this off their chests at last. Clearly they’d been holding onto it for a while.