//------------------------------// // A Confusing Crush // Story: The Young Warrior: Apex's Choice // by Melody Song //------------------------------// “Apex? Sweetie?” Thorax nudged gently at the lump curled between his forelegs. “It’s morning.” “I know.” Thorax chuckled. “It’s time to get up, silly.” “...Don’ wanna.” “You sick or something, grub?” Pharynx spoke up, walking over to the bed as he entered the room. “No…” “Then what’s the problem? We don’t have all day, you know.” Thorax gave him a look. Pharynx just snorted and grinned at him. "I'm not wrong. And don't give me that face, Thorax. We both know you could never actually-" “...Uncle Pharynx, wha’ was i’ like when you firs’ s’ar’ed liking Tempes’?” Apex suddenly asked. He didn't move from underneath the blankets, but he was pretty sure Pharynx had turned bright red. “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about, grub.” Pharynx said, and one of Apex’s red eyes peeked out from under the blanket. “Uncle Pharynx, you don’ haf’a hide i’. You know we can tell an’way. Jus’ tell me wha’ i’ fel’ like…” Pharynx sighed, but climbed onto the bed to settle beside Thorax. “I… well… I just felt really happy around her. I knew that I could come to her with anything that was bothering me and she’d take it seriously. We understand each other, enjoyed spending time with each other.” “Oh… okay.” “Why do you want to know, sweetie?” Thorax asked, and Apex sighed, wiggling out from under the blankets and biting his bottom lip, staring at the mattress. “... I… I think Zenith likes me…” Apex admitted. “He what?!” “Calm down Pharynx.” Thorax told his brother, then turned to Apex. “Sweetie, are you sure?” “I-I tas’ed chocola’e s’rawberries Papa Thorax…” Apex said. “Okay, I’m going to go talk to that-” Pharynx began, but Apex shot up. “No!” Apex jumped over and grabbed him by the shoulders. “Uncle Pharynx, please don’...” “Why not sweetie?” Thorax asked, and Apex looked away, blushing. “I… I jus’... I think I like him too…” Apex admitted, and Thorax squealed, scooping him up. “Eek! P-Papa Thorax?” “My baby boy’s in love!” Thorax exclaimed, hugging him. Pharynx facehoofed and muttered something to himself. Apex blushed and squirmed. “P-Papa Thorax! I-I d-don’ e’en know if h-he does for sure-!” “Well, you have to tell him how you feel for that to happen!” Thorax nuzzled Apex, smiling. “I’m sure Zenith loves you, my little warrior. You just need to be brave and tell him the truth.” “T-Thanks Papa Thorax… b-bu’ I don’ know how to…” “Hm… fair point…” Thorax set Apex down, and he sighed. “For the love of-look, grub, technically, I’m the only one here with romantic experience, since Thorax won’t tell Ember how he feels, so-” Pharynx began “W-What are you talking about? Ember? I-I don’t like Ember!” Thorax protested with a nervous giggle, despite both his brother and adoptive son giving him deadpan looks. “Anyway…” Pharynx turned back to Apex. “If you want my advice, just be yourself. If Zenith-eques really likes you, it won’t matter to him how you tell him you like him. What will matter is that you did tell him.” Apex smiled softly. “R-Really?” “Yes really. It can be as fancy or as simple as you like, in the end all that’s going to matter is that you mean what you say.” Pharynx replied. Apex smiled and hugged him. “Thanks Uncle Pharynx. Can we go spar now?” “About time you asked.” Pharynx picked him up, grabbing both their crossbows and heading for the door. “See you later baby bro!” “Bye you two! Have fun!” Thorax called, getting up to head to the throne room. ------------------------------------------------ When they’d gotten outside they’d found out Hunter-eques had taken Zenith on patrol with him. Knowing the two wouldn't be gone for more than an hour or two at most, they decided to practice until Hunter and Zenith arrived for their own training session. But eventually, three hours had passed, and the two were still waiting. “They’ve been gone for a while Uncle Pharynx… w-wha’ if somethin’ happened?” Apex asked as they took a break, the nymph currently sprawled on his uncle’s back. “Hunter and Zenith are capable warriors, if there’s a problem, they can handle it.” “I hope so…” Apex sighed, and Pharynx rolled his eyes slightly. “I think Thorax is rubbing off on you, grub.” he muttered, as Apex rested against him. “Uncle Pharynx?” “Yes?” “Wha’ you sai’ earlier… is tha’ how you tol’ Tempes’ you liked her?” Pharynx blushed, then nodded. “Well… I mean, it didn’t exactly work out the way I originally planned…” “I be’ she loved i’!” “Heh… she was certainly surprised.” Pharynx chuckled. “Bu’ she sai’ tha' she liked you too.” “Yeah... that’s what matters. I already knew she loved me, changeling emotion receptors don’t lie. I just had to give her a chance to tell me.” Apex smiled and nuzzled him. “So you think I should get ‘Nithy a gif'?” “Sure, if you want.” Pharynx shrugged. “Okay… I can ge’ him choc'late! He likes tha’!” “Heh, you both do.” Pharynx teased with a poke to Apex’s stomach, making the nymph giggle. Pharynx chuckled, then paused, blinking. “Wait, how did I of all changelings end up being the one giving you relationship advice?” “‘Cause Papa Thorax is too shy to tell Ember he’s go’ a crush on her.” Apex stated matter-of-factly, and Pharynx chuckled. “Touché, Apex.” Apex giggled, smiling at him. Pharynx stood up, signaling they were going to start training again. Apex jumped off his back, trotting over to face him. “Now, I was thinking we try to work on your sweep the leg move-” Pharynx began, but was cut off by a sudden shout. “Pharynx-dominus! Apex-legatus!” Ocellus rushed up to them, panting for breath. “Ocellus-consiliaria? What’s the problem?” Pharynx asked “Does Papa Thorax need us?” Apex asked “K-Kind of…” “Why’re you ou’ of breath?” “I… ran here… from… Hive… Thorax sent me…” Ocellus forced out. “We… big problem…” “Whas’ goin’ on?” Apex pressed, as Pharynx walked over and thumped Ocellus on the back, helping her get a full breath as she gasped. “Now, what’s the matter?” Pharynx asked. “H-Hunter and Zenith r-ran into a R-Roc while they were patrolling, Z-Zenith is hurt!”