Patrilineality: Making Up For Time We Lost

by Melody Song


Chapter 35: More Than Brotherly Banter

“You did not just say that!” Thorax’s voice woke Metamorphosis from his slumber.

“Then you need to get your ears checked, because I did.”

“Argh! Pharynx, you’re the worst!”

“He says, as if he’s not already the worst!”

Metamorphosis sighed and sat up. “I take a nap for thirty minutes and the boys are fighting… I really should have seen this coming.”

Metamorphosis got out of bed and walked out into the hallway, following the direction of the voices. He traced the source to Thorax’s room, finding the two brothers muzzle-to-muzzle, glaring at each other.

“Boys? What’s going-”

“Say that again Pharynx, I dare you!”

Evidently, Thorax and Pharynx’s yelling had drowned their father’s words out.

“Alright! You’re a weak little grub!”

“No I’m not!”

“Yes you are!”

“I know you are but what am I?!” Thorax retorted, the childish expression making his brother do a double take.

“Oh you did not just-”

“Oh yes I did!”

“You little…”

“Little what, Phary?”

Pharynx froze, then growled and flared out his wings. “Only Fortuna got to call me that you little f***k!”

Thorax’s eyes widened, then, he glared at his brother. Metamorphosis’ face contorted into one of anger as he moved towards Pharynx. But before he could say anything, Thorax already had.

“You would let me call you that too you know you… you son of a b***h!” Thorax screamed

Pharynx snarled. “Oh of course, the minute you finally ditch your filter happens to be when you’re mad at me!”

“Of course I’m mad at you you-”

Thorax May Glyder!”

This time, both brothers froze, turning to see their father glaring at them. Pharynx shot a smirk at Thorax, who looked terrified. Unfortunately for the beta changeling, Metamorphosis saw it.

“Don’t think you’re not in trouble either Pharynx Ray Elytron!”

“...Damnit.” Pharynx swore, turning to face his father.

“Thank you.” Metamorphosis looked between the two. “I can understand fighting, all siblings fight. But swearing at each other and looking about ready to physically attack each other is out of the question. Honestly, how old are you two?”

“He started it!” they said as one, pointing at each other.

“I don’t care who started it!” Metamorphosis bellowed, silencing them. “Both of you are adults! You should be old enough to be able to understand that swearing is not going to prove any kind of point and you should be able to settle your arguments without me having to come in and yell at you, is that clear?!”

Both of the brothers gulped, and nodded.

“Y-Yes dad…”

“Understood father…”

“Good.” Metamorphosis looked between them. “Now, what are you two arguing about this time?”

“He called me a weakling!”

“He said the guards would be better off with Fortuna in charge of them because I’m getting nowhere!”

“Oh tell me I’m wrong Pharynx!”

“It’s not my fault they’re incompetent!”

“Maybe they wouldn’t be if someone else more capable was in charge!”

“You take that back right now you worthless weak little baby!”

“I will not, you stupid, depressed, cross-dressing Tsundere!”

Pharynx Ray Elytron and Thorax May Glyder you will be silent!” Metamorphosis shouted at the top of his lungs.

The two froze once again, but it didn’t last for long.

“Dad, he called me a-”

“He insulted me first-!”

Metamorphosis put a hoof to his temple, rubbing it for a minute before slamming his hoof down onto the ground. “That’s it! Pharynx, to your room, now!”

“Ha!” Thorax shot at Pharynx, who promptly punched him in the face. “Ahh! Owww!”

Pharynx! Last warning!” Metamorphosis shouted. “Your room, now!”

“I’m going!” Pharynx shouted, storming out of the room, tail lashing in anger. Thorax glared at Pharynx as he left, a hoof pressed against his bleeding muzzle.

“Good riddance…” Thorax muttered

“Don’t think you’re getting away with this Thorax.” Metamorphosis warned his son. “I only sent Pharynx to his room because you’re already in your room.”

“But dad, Pharynx said I-”

“And what did you say to him?” Metamorphosis cut him off, and Thorax fell silent. “That’s right. You insulted him. Thorax, a fight is no excuse to call your brother any of the things you said about him.”

“I… I know… and I d-definitely shouldn’t have outed him like that…” Thorax muttered the last part, and Metamorphosis’ ears pricked.

“What was that?”

“Nothing! I’m still not apologizing!”

“And why is that?”

“Because we both know Pharynx isn’t going to.” Thorax said shortly.

Sensing he wasn’t getting anywhere with Thorax, Metamorphosis sighed and rubbed his temple.

“Alright then. You’re grounded.”

“What?! B-But dad, I’m the King!”

“And I’m your father. Besides, kingship is a duty I can handle for a couple of days, and I’m sure one of Pharynx’s competent soldiers can handle his job, because he’s also grounded. You’re not to leave this room, am I clear?”

“...Yes dad…” Thorax sighed. “But what about-”

“I’ll be looking after Apex while you’re grounded.” Metamorphosis levitated a box of tissues over to Thorax from his bedside table. “Here, wipe off that blood, and I’ll have a medic come check and see whether it’s just bleeding or your brother broke your nose.”

Thorax nodded, taking the tissues. Metamorphosis then left Thorax’s room, sighing before heading to Pharynx’s. He heard a couple crashing noises, and entered the room.

Pharynx was slamming his head against one of the walls. Metamorphosis rushed over and grabbed him, dragging him over to his bed.

“D-Dad, let me go!”

“Not until you calm down.” Metamorphosis said, then, surprisingly, Pharynx instantly relaxed in his grip. “Pharynx?”

He looked down, seeing his son had gone limp, staring blankly at the ceiling. Metamorphosis lifted him up and carefully laid him in bed. He nosed Pharynx, who stirred slightly.

“Thorax started it.”

“It doesn’t matter who started it, Pharynx, what matters is that you both continued it.” Metamorphosis told him.

“But… I… he…”

“Yes?”

“Not only did he say that my old mentor, who once admitted I’m even better than her, would be better at training the soldiers than me, but he also outed me to our own father!” Pharynx spat.

“Outed you?” Metamorphosis repeated, and Pharynx froze.

“I-I mean… uh…” Pharynx stammered, and Metamorphosis rubbed his back.

“You know you can tell me anything, Pharynx.” Metamorphosis soothed him.

Pharynx sighed, then looked down at the bed, blushing. “I… I like… cross-dressing…”

“You mean…”

“I like to put on dresses… only Thorax, Temp, and Ember know…”

Metamorphosis nuzzled him. “Well, Thorax didn’t tell me any more, even when I questioned it. He still is willing to keep your silence.”

“I guess…”

“Don’t listen to him, Pharynx. Those words came from a place of anger, Thorax would never have said it otherwise.”

“I know dad. But I’m not apologizing anyway.” Pharynx said stubbornly.

“I expected as much.” Metamorphosis stood up, heading for the door.

“That’s it?”

“Yes.”

Pharynx grinned and got up, but as he headed for the door, Metamorphosis cast a small shield with his horn, making him stop.

“What?”

“You’re grounded.”

“What?! I’m twenty-one, you can’t ground me!”

“So is your brother, and he’s grounded too.” Metamorphosis replied.

“Damnit…”

“You’ll need to work on your filter while you’re grounded.” Metamorphosis told him, heading for the door. “Do not leave this room Pharynx.”

“Can Tempest-?”

“No.”

“...Shit.”

Metamorphosis sighed and closed the door to Pharynx’s room, muttering to himself as he went to go get Apex. “This is going to be a long few days…”

Sure enough, the next day, Metamorphosis went to check on his sons, finding Thorax reading a book. He seemed alright, so Metamorphosis decided to check on Pharynx before talking to Thorax. He found Pharynx punching the wall. Metamorphosis raced over and pulled him back.

“Dad, seriously?! I need this!”

“No, you don’t.” Metamorphosis told him sternly. “Why don’t you rest?”

Pharynx groaned and stormed over to his bed. “How’s Thorax’s face?”

“Bruised, but not broken.” Metamorphosis told him, and Pharynx grunted. “You’re glad.”

“So what if I am?!” Pharynx pulled the blankets over himself. “Wimp doesn’t deserve my forgiveness, not after what he said.”

Metamorphosis sighed, then grabbed Night Fury from under Pharynx’s bed and slipped him into his son’s hooves. Pharynx hugged him angrily, and Metamorphosis nuzzled him.

“You know, I’d rather not have to do this, but you two need to learn your lesson.”

“Yeah yeah, I know…” Pharynx grumbled. Metamorphosis hugged him, nuzzling him again.

“I know you’re hurting, Pharynx, but I do want you to apologize to Thorax.”

“I can’t…”

“You can. You just need to be brave enough to make amends.” Metamorphosis gave him a gentle boop on the nose, and his son squeaked. “Heh, and I know you, my Dark Warrior, are definitely brave enough to do something as simple as saying ‘I’m sorry’.”

Pharynx blushed, then buried himself in the blankets. Metamorphosis rubbed his back gently, before heading to Thorax’s room.

“Hi dad…” Thorax sighed as Metamorphosis entered the room. He seemed to be pacing around.

“Are you alright Thorax?”

“Hungry…” Thorax trailed off, laying down. Metamorphosis walked over and hugged him, feeding him a bit of love. Changelings didn’t do well alone, Thorax especially, since he was now so used to feeling love everywhere. “Thanks dad…”

“Of course my son.” Metamorphosis nuzzled him. “Now, do you think you’re ready to apologize to Pharynx?”

“I guess so… but I’d still rather hear an apology from him first.” Thorax said.

“If you two keep holding out for each other to apologize, then you’re going to be in your rooms for a very long time.” Metamorphosis chided him. “And if I have to be honest, I believe you owe your brother an apology first. Your words struck a much deeper chord with him than his did with you.”

“I know…” Thorax sighed, and Metamorphosis could taste the guilt rolling off him. “I-I didn’t mean to call him depressed or stupid… he’s the smartest changeling I know, honest. And I want to help when he gets depressed, n-not make it worse.”

“Which is something you should be telling him.” Metamorphosis stood up, walking to the door. “I know you Thorax, and I know you feel bad about what you said. But despite what Pharynx loves to tease us both about, you are not just my son. Your mother’s blood still runs through you, and with it comes her stubborn nature.”

Thorax buried his head in a pillow. “I hate even thinking that I’ve got part of her in me.”

“I know.” Metamorphosis looked back at him. “And trust me, you are my son and my son alone in my eyes. But I’m worried that because you each have your mother in you, if you two don’t talk things out by the time you’re ungrounded, your relationship will never be the same.”

Thorax sighed and looked out the window beside his bed. Metamorphosis sighed softly before leaving the room.

Two days later, Metamorphosis stood outside his sons’ rooms. They were no longer grounded, but hadn’t yet emerged from their rooms. Metamorphosis could understand why.

Finally, Thorax and Pharynx stepped out of their rooms, perfectly in sync. Metamorphosis gave them both a gentle smile. They smiled back at him politely, but then, they turned to each other.

“P-Pharynx I-”

“Thorax I have to-”

They spoke at the same time, and Metamorphosis chuckled softly as they blinked in confusion.

“Sorry, you go.” they said in unison. “No, you go.”

“You just go Thor.” Pharynx said, and in an instant Thorax was hugging him.

“Pharynx I’m so sorry! I’m sorry I said Fortuna was a better general, she passed her legacy to the one changeling who’s actually worthy of the position, I know that. And I’m sorry I sweared at you, you didn’t deserve it, and I’m sorry for outing you, I didn’t mean to, and I’m sorry I called you stupid, you’re the smartest changeling I know, including Ocellus! A-And I’m so, so sorry I called you depressed, you know I only want to help you when you feel like that… I’m sorry…”

Pharynx sighed and hugged back. “I’m sorry too, Thorax. You didn’t deserve to be sweared at either, and you’re not worthless. Without you we wouldn’t be here, and dad would be… who knows where. And yeah, you’re physically weak, but you’re strong in other ways, ones I should have appreciated. I’m sorry…”

Pharynx’s apology was shorter than his brother’s, as he clearly was never going to get used to heartfelt speeches, but Thorax seemed to appreciate it nonetheless. Thorax and Pharynx hugged each other tightly, and Thorax kissed Pharynx on the cheek. They then looked to Metamorphosis, who smiled at them.

“Thanks dad.” they said as one, and he laughed.

“Of course, my sons.” Metamorphosis walked over and hugged them gently. “But I do still have one question. What even started the fight in the first place?”

The brothers looked at each other, then back at Metamorphosis.

“I-I don’t remember.” Thorax admitted

“No clue.” Pharynx agreed

“Then it seems this fight was rather pointless, wasn’t it?” Metamorphosis asked, and the brothers chuckled.

“Yeah, I guess so.” Pharynx said, smiling.

“Yes. Now… Pharynx, you said you liked wearing dresses… do you have any that you really like wearing?”

Pharynx turned red, as Thorax beamed.

“He has a really cute blue one!”

“Thorax, no-”

“Show me.”

Pharynx groaned and buried his head in his hooves. Metamorphosis chuckled and rubbed his back. Just as Thorax was leading them back to Pharynx’s room, they heard hoofsteps, and shouting.

“Thorax! Pharynx! Where are you?”

“Ocellus?” Metamorphosis asked, as the nymph in question came rushing up to them.

“There you are! B-Been looking for you.” she panted

“What are you doing here Ocellus? School’s not supposed to be out for another two weeks, right?” Thorax asked

“Y-Yes, but…” Ocellus sat down, breathing heavily. “H-Headmare Twilight let me come, e-extra credit…”

“Are you alright kid?” Pharynx asked, raising a brow.

“Ran… from… train…” Ocellus panted.

“Come on, let’s take you to your room, you need to lie down.” Metamorphosis said kindly.

“N-Not yet! Can’t! Have… important… information.” Ocellus took a few deep breaths. “A-About… you… Metamorphosis.”

“What?” they all asked as one, as Ocellus pulled a worn-looking book out of her bag.

“I-I just found… proof… Chrysalis… lying… M-Metamorphosis parents… n-not changelings.”

“What?!” they all exclaimed as one, right as Ocellus collapsed.