The night before the warriors were supposed to leave, Thorax and Pharynx curled up in their nest with Apex nestled in between them. Pharynx and Thorax were up, thinking Apex was asleep. He wasn’t, instead listening quietly.
“Ph-Pharynx, I don’t think I can do this anymore…” Thorax was crying.
“Thorax, look at me. You’re better at fighting than anyling thinks, I know you are.”
“B-But I just… Pharynx, I don’t like it here, I want to-”
“Don’t, Thorax… don’t even say it…” Pharynx growled
Thorax wiped his eyes. “I’m sorry, I just…”
“It’s… fine… I just… I may not show it much, but… I like having a brother…”
“B-But what if… after tomorrow… I won’t?”
Apex had his eyes closed, snuggled up against Thorax’s black chitin. As the younger of the brothers whispered the implication, Apex pressed closer to him. Luckily, it wasn’t noticed by either. Silence fell over the room. Eventually, Pharynx spoke.
“I promise, Thor, I’ll come back to you.”
“...O-Okay…”
Thorax and Pharynx settled down to go to sleep after that. Thorax’s hoof reached and took hold of Pharynx’s, their leg holes locking together perfectly. Pharynx moved closer, and soon, Apex was safe and secure between the brothers, warm from their body heat and more peaceful than he’d been in a long time.
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Apex rode on Thorax’s back. They’d just finished seeing the soldiers off. Pharynx was leading them.
“Th-Thorax?”
“Y-Yes Apex?” Thorax asked, wiping a few tears away. Most of the changelings were gone so the halls were empty of anyone who would see.
“Zenith-discipulus left with them.”
“I know. He was walking beside Hunter-eques, brave as can be.”
“Wh-Wha' if he doesn’-”
“Perish the thought, little one. Hunter will look out for him. They’ll look out for each other.”
“A-An' Ocellus-discipula an’ Cilia-medica wen’ with them…”
“They have to. But they’ll be safe out there.” Thorax replied
“Wh-Wha’ are we going to do?”
“...I…” Thorax turned to look over his shoulder at the nymph. “I don’t know…”
“...You wanna leave, don’ you?”
“I-I don’t know what you’re-”
“I heard you an’ Pharynx talking las’ nigh’…”
“Oh… Apex… I-I can’t take another minute here!” Thorax exclaimed, then covered his mouth and lowered his voice. “Pharynx was my only protection from our mother. I want to leave so badly… but I can’t leave you behind… a-and Pharynx promised he’d return…”
Apex frowned. “I-I think if I hurry I can grab weapons an’ catch up wi’ them.”
“Apex, no. I don’t want you going into battle, you’re too young, you’re only five.”
“So was Zenix-discipulus, an’ the code says 'pren'ices can en'er the fray-”
“If the enemy outnumbers them a hundred-to-ten. Those warriors are leaving to even the odds, that part of the code isn’t necessary.”
“Bu'… I don’ wan’ you to feel like you ‘bandoned me. Being wi’ Pharynx would fix tha'.”
“Apex, I’d feel loss just as badly…” Thorax looked down, then seemed to think of something as he raised his head. “I’ve got it!”
“What?”
“You can come with me Apex. We’ll leave and be together.”
“Wha' 'bout Pharynx?”
“He… we’ll see him again. I know we will… what do you say little one?”
“I… I…” Apex hesitated. “I wanna be wi’ you Thorax… b-bu' Pharynx… an’... an’ the promise I made to mommy an’ daddy…”
Thorax sighed. “I understand. You don’t have to go with me.”
“...Bu’ I won’ learn an’thing here if you’re gone…” Apex continued his train of thought. “A-An’ m-mommy an’ daddy would wan’ me to follow my heart…”
“Apex, what are you-”
“I-I’ll go wi’ you Thorax.” Apex smiled and reached, rubbing his cheek against Thorax’s. “‘Sides, you need a real warrior to ‘tect you when you leave.”
Thorax brightened, giving a true smile for the first time in months. “Thank you Apex. I promise, I’ll look after you, little one.”
“We’ll ‘tect each o'er.” Apex said, nuzzling him.
Thorax giggled. “Come on, let’s see if we can sneak some food to take with us.”
“Okay.” Apex smiled. “You ge’ the food. I’ll ge’ my weapons.”
Thorax nodded, and Apex jumped down from his back. Then they headed off in different directions.
---------------------------------------------------
“Ready little one?” Thorax asked
They stood out in the sandy training area. Apex nodded, using his magic to adjust the small satchel he wore, which contained his mini-crossbow and other supplies.
“‘M ready, Thorax.” he hesitated. “You know, you need a full name.”
“I don’t even call you Apex-discipulus though.”
“You do some'imes.”
“Yes, when there are other changelings besides Pharynx around.”
“So you need a real name.”
“Heh, I don’t know…”
“Well, I dunno any other terms ‘sides the ones we a’ready use…”
“Well, you would have learned more of them if Pharynx had stayed to continue your training… I should probably teach you the little I know of defense and other things as we travel, so you can defend yourself…”
“Wha’ you go’ on names tha' migh' fi' you?” Apex asked, and Thorax thought for a bit.
“Well… what about… Praevian? It means guide.”
“Mm-mm. You’re no’ really a guide. You took us he'e an' we don’ e'en know where we’re goin’!” Apex said, and Thorax chuckled.
“What about consilario? It means advisor.”
“Bu’ tha' was your role wi’ Pharynx. I wan’ my own special name for you, 'cause you deser'e one tha's special!"
"Well, alright, Apex." Thorax smiled at him. "So, what did you have in mind?"
"Well... you’re a’ways the'e for me… an’ you suppor' me an’ helped convince Pharynx to men'or me… wha' 'scribes someone like tha’?”
Thorax thought for a minute, then murmured something so quietly Apex barely heard it. “P-Pater?”
“Whas’ tha' mean?” Apex asked, and Thorax yelped, his eyes going wide.
“U-Uh… friend! It means friend."
"So Thorax-Pater?"
"Not quite. Words like friend usually come before the name.”
“Oh. Perfec'! Pater-Thorax!” Apex said happily, bouncing ahead. Fortunately for Thorax, the nymph hadn't noticed that the adult seemed to wince slightly out of guilt.
“W-Wait for me Apex!” Thorax raced after him.