//------------------------------// // Nothing Will Change // Story: Pride and Joy // by Melody Song //------------------------------// Apex squirmed in his sleep, unbeknownst to Thorax, who was fast asleep beside him. Apex groaned as the dream plagued his mind. “N-No… I… I… wahhh!” Apex shot upright, then immediately scrambled out of bed, leaping down to the floor and scampering off. The little nymph ran straight into the bedroom of the one changeling he wanted to see the most at that moment. Pharynx was fast asleep in his own bed, muttering to himself and grinning. “No Tempest… let me show you how it’s done… heheh…” “U-Uncle Pharynx…” a tiny hoof poked his cheek, and his eyes opened slowly to find Apex staring at him with big round eyes. “Grub? What is it?” He asked in a low tone. “U-Uncle Pharynx, I-I had a-a b-bad dream…” Apex whispered, and Pharynx smiled at him gently, lifting his hoof to let the nymph crawl underneath it and snuggle against his side. “You can stay with me if you want Apex.” Pharynx said softly, and Apex smiled. “But why didn’t you wake up Thorax?” “...I-I’ was ‘bout him…” Apex admitted. “It was?” Pharynx lifted himself up slightly and stared at Apex. “That’s a first… what happened, grub?” “W-Well… i’ was ‘bout him an’ Emmie…” Apex began to tell him the story. How it had started with him overhearing Thorax and Ember discussing a “new arrival” and he had gotten really excited, hoping they meant something fun. He then realized they were talking about a baby, and became a little disappointed but still eager to see the foal. Then, he watched as two small storks with Scorpia and Capillarie’s voices delivered a single bundle to the two, which contained the baby. Apex had barely even gotten to see a glimpse of his new faceless baby sibling, before Thorax and Ember had whisked them away and shut him out of Thorax’s room. No matter how hard Apex pounded on the door and cried to be let in, they ignored him. Finally, they emerged, with the new baby in Ember’s arms. They were fawning over the baby, and didn’t even notice he was there as they walked away, Thorax proclaiming the baby was “his one and only child” That was when Apex burst into tears, curling up in a ball while being taunted by a voice he somehow knew was the baby’s, saying Thorax would never love him again now that he had a real baby, because Apex was adopted. Pharynx sighed and lifted Apex up, rolling onto his back and placing the nymph on his chest. “Grub, that’s never going to happen.” “B-Bu’ i’ might…” Apex whimpered. “Thorax and Ember might have a kid of their own one day, yeah.” Pharynx agreed, nuzzling him. “But that’s never going to change how much they love you.” “Bu’ if they do, t-then I won’ be Papa Thorax’s baby an’more…” “You’re always going to be his baby, no matter how big you get.” Pharynx assured him, but Apex sniffled and hid his face against Pharynx. “Grub…” “P-Papa Thorax won’ love me if he an’ Emmie ge’ a new baby…” “Yes he will. Nothing is going to change if he and Ember have a kid.” Pharynx said, lifting Apex’s chin with a hoof. “I promise.” “W-Warrio’ promise…?” Apex asked, and Pharynx smirked. “Warrior’s promise, Apex. I swear on my rank that I’m telling the truth. Nothing is ever going to keep Thorax from loving you, grub. You’re his son. His heir.” “He doesn’ need me to b’eathe.” Apex giggled and poked Pharynx’s snout. “Silly Uncle Pharynx…” “Not air, Apex, heir. H-e-i-r.” Pharynx corrected him, booping his own nose. “It means you’re his first child, the one who’s entitled to his rank when he eventually… joins Capillarie and Scorpia.” Apex squeaked and his eyes grew big again, but Pharynx was quick to pull the nymph into a hug. “It won’t happen for a long time, grub. Thorax is young and healthy, and he’s got me to protect him. He won’t join them for a long time, okay?” Pharynx said softly, and Apex nodded. “But when he does, that means you’d become the King in his place.” “I-I would…?” “Mhm. Because you’re his heir. Specifically, his heir to the throne. Only his oldest child can claim that.” Apex’s red eyes gleamed in the darkness as he wagged his tail. “S-So I-I’ll be…?” “The King-General, just like you wanted.” Pharynx chuckled and rubbed his head. “If I’m still around, you’d have to fight me for it though.” Apex giggled, smiling through his tears, and wrapped his hooves around Pharynx’s neck, snuggling into his chitin. Pharynx chuckled, laying back down on his side so that Apex could cuddle against him. “You ready to go back to sleep?” “Guess so… Papa Thorax an’ Emmie will s’ill ha’e a baby…” “Grub, Thorax’s still not comfortable just saying she’s his girlfriend. You’ve got a while before they start thinking about having kids.” Pharynx laughed softly, and Apex smiled, pressing against his chest to hear his heartbeat. “So I ha’e time to plan wha’ t’do…” Apex yawned and curled up against Pharynx. “Yeah, sure grub. Just remember one thing.” Pharynx said as he put a hoof around the nymph. “Wha’?” “...Little siblings are some of the most annoying creatures in existence. They’ll try to make you play with them and they’ll make you get mad and run around after them…” Pharynx kissed Apex’s forehead, smiling softly. “But at the same time, they’re kind of wonderful to have.” “How d’you know Uncle Pharynx…?” Apex asked sleepily, and Pharynx smiled. “Thorax used to frustrate the living Tartarus out of me. And he still does.” Pharynx chuckled, smiling at Apex. “But whenever I think I’m on my own, and I don’t have anyone to count on… his stupid face is right there, encouraging me.” Apex giggled, smiling as Pharynx nuzzled him one last time, and slipped a dragon plushie into his hooves. Apex beamed and hugged Night Fury close, clinging to Pharynx’s chitin, pressing into his chest. Pharynx smiled and held the nymph close, laying his head back and slowly falling back asleep. Apex yawned and curled up beside him, still able to hear Pharynx’s heartbeat from where he was. He smiled and nestled closer. “Uncle Pharynx’s hear’bea’ is nice… bu’ Papa Thorax’s is my fa’orite song… no one else’s can be like his, because he’s my papa…”