//------------------------------// // Chapter 40: Secrets Shared // Story: Patrilineality: Making Up For Time We Lost // by Melody Song //------------------------------// After the group had made it back to the Hive, Ocellus offered to look after Apex for the night. The brothers decided to open presents in the morning, as it was very late. Metamorphosis watched his sons’ mates enter Thorax’s room, before approaching the two. “Goodnight you two.” he murmured, kissing them each on the forehead. “Don’t stay up too much later, alright? You still have presents to open tomorrow.” “Heh, we won’t dad.” Pharynx smiled at him. “Night.” “Goodnight.” Metamorphosis turned to head to his own room, then glanced over his shoulder at them and grinned. “I’ll be looking forward to walking you down the aisle, my Dark Warrior.” Pharynx turned bright red, stammering and blushing as Thorax grinned and planted a kiss on his cheek. Metamorphosis chuckled and headed off, smiling. The next morning, Metamorphosis was, for a change, woken up not by his chipper youngest son, but by a soft warmth against his side. He smiled, tasting the familiar tang of semi-sweet meyer lemons. He leaned over and nuzzled the lump. “Good morning Pharynx. Everything alright?” Pharynx sat up slightly, yawning. “I’m fine, I just wanted to come spend some time with you… and I might’ve fallen asleep…” Metamorphosis chuckled, then noticed a flat, boxed present lying at the foot of the bed. Pharynx blushed and lifted it up in his magic, bringing it over. “I-I also wanted to open your present… f-for just you and me, okay? No one else sees?” Pharynx asked, and Metamorphosis smiled. “Of course Pharynx, if that’s what you would like.” Metamorphosis smiled at him. “Go ahead, my son.” Pharynx smiled and tore open the bright green wrapping paper, letting it fall to the ground. The lid of the smooth white box underneath the paper was slowly and cautiously lifted up by Pharynx as well. As soon as he peeked inside, he let out a gasp and stared at Metamorphosis in shock. “Dad, you didn’t have to…” “I wanted to.” Metamorphosis leaned over to nuzzle him, smiling as his son stared down at the item like it was a hard-earned prize. An elegant violet dress with light red trimmings was laying in the box. But it wasn’t just any ordinary dress. A very familiarly designed “R” was sewn into the inside of the collar, visible even though the dress was folded up. Pharynx lifted it in his magic. “You seriously got me an original dress by Rarity? T-That had to have cost a lot…” “Well, it might not have been entirely made by Rarity herself.” Metamorphosis admitted, and Pharynx looked over at him. “You see, Rarity has just recently taken on a new intern for her Ponyville boutique… specifically, an orange dragoness that just so happens to be dating Ocellus.” “Smolder?” Pharynx blinked. “I mean, I guess that kind of makes sense after the whole thing with that book during Hearth’s Warming, but…” “It turns out she likes designing dresses as well.” Metamorphosis nuzzled Pharynx. “I asked Ocellus to deliver a note to her for me, detailing what I knew you would like. She made it using Rarity’s advice and materials. Officially, it’s labeled as Rarity’s brand, but Smolder designed it.” “Wow… dad… thank you…” Pharynx hugged him tightly. “You didn’t have to…” “I know. But I wanted to.” Metamorphosis smiled at him. “I knew it would make you happy.” Pharynx smiled at him. “Thanks dad…” “Of course, son. Now, we shouldn’t keep your brother waiting, where is he?” “Still passed out in a pile with the girls last I checked.” Pharynx chuckled, sitting up. The ring on his horn glinted in the light and Metamorphosis smiled. It suited him well. ------------------------------------------ “Papa Thorax, Uncle Pharynx, do mine nex’!” The hyperactive nymph was practically bouncing on his hooves as he watched Thorax pick up the hastily wrapped present with the two’s names scrawled on it. Metamorphosis chuckled and picked up Apex, holding the energetic nymph still. “Did you wrap this all by yourself sweetie?” Thorax asked the nymph kindly. “Celly helped, bu’ on’y cause she wouldn’ le’ me do i’ myself.” Apex responded, and Thorax nuzzled him affectionately before helping Pharynx unwrap the gift. Ocellus, who was sitting by Tempest and Ember, gave the younger nymph an approving nod. Metamorphosis smiled as he saw the gift, a sculpture of Thorax and Pharynx made out of colored clay. It was hardly the best looking sculpture, but the eager smile on the little nymph’s face showed he’d truly put his best effort into it. Thorax smiled and picked up Apex, hugging him. “Thank you my little hyper sprite, it’s wonderful.” Thorax said, and Apex cheered. Pharynx then took the next present that Ocellus gave him. The brothers opened the box, pulling out a flag striped in different shades of green and blue, with a center symbol of a heart with the infinity symbol within it. Ocellus giggled mischievously-it was a version of the polyamorous flag. “This may have been my plan for getting you two to admit you were polyamorous to da-” Ocellus broke off and cleared her throat. “-to Meta.” Metamorphosis chuckled, smiling at Ocellus. Thorax and Pharynx blushed, and Metamorphosis gave them a gentle smile. However, it was tinged with a little sadness, that his sons were discovering themselves while he remained the same, shrouded in doubt and fear. “Dad, is something wrong?” Thorax’s voice drove him out of his thoughts, and he looked up. “No, no, nothing’s wrong, I just… needed to think about some things.” Metamorphosis assured his son, but Pharynx didn’t seem convinced. “Come on dad, we know you well enough by now to know you’re hiding something, and you just gave off a wave of sadness. What’s wrong?” “I-It’s not important Pharynx-” “That’s bullsh-” “Pharynx!” Ocellus and Thorax both said as one. “Fine, fine. Whatever. What’s up dad?” “Nothing that we need to talk about right now-” “Tell. Me.” Pharynx demanded, eyes glinting. “Pharynx, I really don’t want to talk about this, it’s you two’s birthday, and I feel like this would just ruin things-” “Does it have anything to do with why you spaced out when they pulled out the flag?” Ember asked, and Metamorphosis flinched. “Ah, so it does.” “Dad, tell us. Now.” Pharynx snarled. “Alright… Alright…” Metamorphosis sighed and closed his eyes. “Boys… I… I’m not… straight, I… I’m gay.”