"Damn it, where is he?!" The changeling monarch rushed through the hallways of the hive, nearly stepping in an open can of paint in the process. The stress of the holidays had finally broken him, and he was in desperate need of a cuddle. But the royal cuddlier was seemingly nowhere, which only served to worry him more.
He had asked any changeling he came across if they knew where he was, to which most responded with either a "no", or saying that if he had left, they were to busy with the festivities to notice, or question.
Rounding a corner, Thorax had no time to prepare before he ran head first into someone. Tumbling onto his victim, he felt the wind leave his body so fast, you'd think the wind was rushing out to turn in its taxes. Groaning, Thorax slowly lifted himself up. It was only then that he realized who he had collided with.
"Pharynx!" Thorax quickly helped his brother to his hooves, "I am so glad to see you!"
Pharynx took a moment to fully regain his balance. "Why?" Pharynx wanted to ask why Thorax had just bum-rushed his ass, but only managed to get one word out thanks to his newfound migraine.
"I wanted to ask if you've seen Cercus anywhere. I've been trying to find him all day, but I can't! It's like he's vanished off the face of Equestria!"
"Have you tried looking in his cave? He's been known to isolate himself for days at a time."
"Yes, that was the first place I checked! I've checked the throne room, the grub caves, all around the hive! He must've left, but he usually leaves me a note at the very least! Y-You don't think he's been kidnapped do you? W-What if he never comes back? What will I do the-"
"THORAX!!" Having to yell only made Pharynx's migraine worse.
Snapping out of his stress induced rant, Thorax looked sheepishly at the ground. His voice was soft, "I...started ranting again, didn't I?"
Pharynx nodded.
"Sorry, I'm just really stressed right now. I really need someone to hold me!"
"Have you asked anyone where he might have gone?"
"Yes, no one knows for sure, but some of them think he may have gone to Ponyville for something."
"Thorax," Thorax looked at his brother, "Breathe."
Thorax hadn't noticed how erratic his breathing had become until Pharynx had mentioned it. He never was the best at staying calm in a given situation, and this fact only made him more nervous. Becoming king certainly wasn't something he would have ever been able to prepare for, and was likely something he never would get used to.
Pharynx scratched one of his horns, "You said that a few of the changelings think he went to Ponyville, right?
"Yeah..."
"Then that's probably where he is."
Thorax didn't look convinced. Pharynx could practically smell his stress.
"Look, why don't you get some rest?-"
"BUT I STILL NEED TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS READY!!" Thorax suddenly blurt out, "HEARTH'S WARMING IS IN TWO DAYS!!"
Pharynx grimaced as he wiped Thorax's spit off his face.
"...If you would let me finish." Pharynx said, toneless.
"S-Sorry." whether he was apologizing for the spit or cutting Pharynx off wasn't clear. Regardless, Pharynx continued.
"You get some rest," Thorax made a weird grunting noise, "and I'll look over the festivities."
"But what about?-" This time, Thorax was cut off.
"I'll send a few of the changelings out to look for him. I'll also tell everycreature to keep an eye out for him, and if he shows up, I'll send him right to you," he smiled, "Now, how does that sound?"
Thorax smiled softly, "That sounds nice, but are you sure you don't mind taking over for me?" His smile faltered, "It's nerve wrecking! I know you deal with a lot too but...are you absolutely sure?"
"I'm sure. You just leave everything to me."
Without another word, the brothers embraced and went their separate ways.
Thorax laid in bed wondering if everything would be ok. He trusted his brother, sure, but would everything get done by Hearth's warming? Sometimes he wished he was someone else, at least then he wouldn't have a whole kingdom looking up to him.
Turning to lay on his side, Thorax noticed something he hadn't before. A slip of paper, right next to the door, as if someone from the other side had slipped it under the crack. Thorax levitated the paper over to him and read it.
Thorax,
I'm heading to Ponyville to pick up some ingredients. Apparently somecreature used all the paprika to spice up their soup. How you manage to use a whole thing of paprika for one bowl of soup I'll never understand. Regardless, I'll be out for a bit. I know you've been stressed all month making sure everything is in order for Hearth's Warming, so as soon as I get back you and me can cuddle for as long as you want, I promise! In the meantime, please try to relax, I don't think I've met a bug that stresses over every little thing quite like you do!
Be back as soon as I can,
-Cercus
Thorax felt his front hooves hit his face. How could he have been so stupid as not to notice the note before? He suddenly felt even more grateful toward Pharynx, and resolved to make it up to him somehow. As he laid there, he wondered when Cercus would be back.
Thorax drew an imaginary circle on his bed with his hoof. It couldn't be that much longer, right? He wondered if he should wait for Cercus, or go ahead and sleep. Deciding it was probably best to get some shut eye, Thorax sat the note on the nightstand next to his bed, and snuffed out the candles in his room, then slowly, but surely, fell asleep.
Thorax woke up later, groggy, but relaxed. It was still dark in his room, so he hadn't been asleep for long. Almost immediately though, he noticed something wrapped around him. Thorax didn't need to see to know what it was. Slowly, as not to wake him, Thorax wrapped his front legs around Cercus, and fell back asleep.
Author's Note
Thank you for taking the time to read my story! This is the first story I've ever started and actually finished, and as a result, it's not that good. Any constructive criticism is welcome and appreciated!
-N
