//------------------------------// // Unfamiliar Feelings // Story: The Young Warrior: Apex's Choice // by Melody Song //------------------------------// Apex didn’t even realize what it was at first. He and Zenith were just friends… best friends. As close as they could get. “Heheh, come and ge’ me ‘Nithy!” “Oh you’re on, ‘Pex!” Zenith giggled The two were chasing each other through the Hive, not even concerned about keeping up appearances. They had no reason to anymore. The Hive was reformed, and with the reformation had come an onslaught of changelings expressing themselves, relaxing, and being far more energetic than they had been during the ex-Queen’s reign. Apex giggled and sped up, outrunning his friend. They sped through the Hive, and Apex decided to try a little trick. He dodged left, then ran right, causing Zenith to stumble and nearly run into a light blue changeling nymph. “S-Sorry Ocellus-consiliaria!” Zenith called, and she shrugged it off as he ran after Apex. Apex giggled and burst out into the open, rushing out of the Hive. He ran through the newly forming meadows surrounding the Hive, giggling as the fresh grass tickled his belly. He then ran out towards the training field, where Pharynx was drilling a couple soldiers. Apex smirked and sped up, glancing back. Zenith was catching up, fast behind the green and red nymph. Apex grinned, then unfurled his wings and sprung. He allowed his wings to catch him, slowing his descent just enough so he didn’t stumble… As he landed with a thump on Pharynx’s back. The general let out a sharp exclamation of surprise and turned his head to glare at him. But Apex had already leapt back off his carapace, hitting the ground at a run. “Sorry Pharynx-dominus!” he shouted, hoping using his uncle-figure’s title instead of nickname would make him less mad. “Grub! You get back he-” Pharynx cut himself off with another cry of alarm. Zenith had dodged underneath his hooves as he tried to take a step towards Apex, and he nearly fell over. “Zenith-eques!” “Sorry Pharynx-dominus!” Zenith called, continuing to chase his fellow nymph. “Kids.” Pharynx grumbled, turning back to his soldiers with a stern glare. Apex laughed and ran faster, doing his best to outpace Zenith. “Oh no you don’t!” Zenith lunged and tackled him, and the two nymphs fell, tumbling over each other as they rolled down a slight hill. Apex squealed with laughter as they landed in a flurry of flowers. Zenith lay on top of him, giggling and grinning. He batted Apex’s chest, booping his nose. “Winner! I have bested Apex-legatus at last!” “No’ ye’!” Apex cried, tackling Zenith from below. The nymphs tumbled again, rolling over. Finally, they came to a halt, with Apex laying on Zenith’s back, one foreleg on his head. “Ha! I win!” “I gave you that one!” Zenith protested. “Oh yeah righ’ – woah…” Apex trailed off, looking up at the scene before them. “H-Has this always been here?” Zenith asked as he stood up, Apex sliding off his back and landing on his flank. It was a beautiful shady glen. Large willow trees blossomed out of the earth, a single weeping willow at the far back, it’s sprawling branches overlooking a winding stream. Apex stood and stepped forward, looking around in awe. “Wha’ is this place?” Apex asked, as Zenith raced over and scrambled up onto the weeping willow tree. He perched on one of the larger branches. “I know what it is.” Zenith batted at one of the flowers on the tree. “It’s a paradise.” “Heheh… this shoul’ be a secre’. Our secre’.” Apex said, climbing up the tree to join his friend. “No one else knows ‘bout i’.” “Agreed.” Zenith smiled at Apex, who smiled back. “Our secret place.” Apex stared into his eyes, one yellow and one purple. They looked like a sharp contrast but blended together perfectly. He looked deeply into them, seeing Zenith’s smiling face for what felt like the first time. His cheeks burned slightly and he shook himself. “Y-Yeah… our place…” Apex watched Zenith, who smiled happily. “Yep! So, you wanna play in the stream?” “O-Okay!” Apex agreed, and Zenith took his hoof. “Wha’ ‘re you…?” “Come on!” Zenith then jumped off the branch, into the water. Apex laughed and jumped in after him, and the two nymphs hit the water with a splash. It was deep enough they wouldn’t hit the bottom, but just shallow enough so they wouldn’t drown. The water was also surprisingly cool. Apex giggled and splashed some at Zenith, who paddled away, laughing. The two nymphs played for hours in their new secret place. Eventually, they wound up lying together in the clearing, watching the sun set. Zenith rested his head on Apex’s shoulder, yawning. Apex put a hoof around him and grinned at him in a teasing way. “Does the tired prince ‘Nithy need the bra’e strong gen’ral to carry him back t’ the Hive?” Apex asked, stifling a yawn of his own. “Heheh, no way! The brave warrior Zenith will carry the sleepy general ‘Pex back to the Hive!” Zenith retorted. “Heheh… we pro’bly should go back…” Apex sighed. “Yeah, come on.” Zenith stood up, and Apex felt a cold breeze as the warmth of his friend disappeared. “You remember the way?” “Mhm! An’ we can jus’ track our ol’ scents.” Apex stood up, doing his best to ignore the heat he felt burning on his face. “Alright then!” Zenith smiled and they headed off. Soon, they reached the Hive, trotting through the halls leisurely, only stopping briefly to grab something to eat in the dining hall. The nymphs didn’t worry about anyone wondering where they were, they usually came back late after playing. They then stopped outside the hall that led to Zenith’s room to say goodnight. Zenith hugged Apex, who turned red. “Heheh, today was really fun… see you tomorrow?” Zenith asked “Yeah! Maybe we can go with Uncle Pharynx an’ spar?” “Heh, I’ll beat you!” Zenith promised, and Apex grinned. “Ne’er!” Apex giggled. “Oh, we’ll see.” Zenith winked at him, then left. That was when Apex tasted it. A rush of sweet strawberries bathed in deep rich chocolate. Love. Apex’s eyes went wide, and he stared at Zenith as he left. Apex then turned and ran back to the room he shared with his papa and uncle.