𝙿𝚊𝚒𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐: Caesar x F! H! Reader
𝚂𝚞𝚖𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚢: After the storm and seeing the domesticity between his sons and you, he cannot help but come to terms with his feelings for you.
A/n: MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS MY PotA FAMILY!! My gift to you all this holidays is a fluffy Caesar fic!! Hope you all have a wonderful time and enjoy the fic!
Please like, reblog and comment. Your support and comments is what fuels me to keep writing
☆彡･::･★彡･::･☆彡
From the day Caesar brought you into the colony, his heart never truly returned to its place.
You had been weak then, exhausted, wounded, human in a world that had learned to fear them. Some apes watched with narrowed eyes, fingers tight on their weapons. Others whispered that you would bring danger. Caesar heard them all… and promptly ignored them.
“She stays,” he had said.
You were human but you did not push yourself into their world, but you listened, learned, waited... Some apes never fully trusted you, their eyes following your steps, their hands ready and you couldn’t blame them. Others softened over time, drawn to your gentle nature, to the way you spoke as if every life before you mattered. You never tried to prove yourself.
But you learned which apes preferred distance and which allowed closeness. Learned the rhythm of the colony, the way voices lowered at dusk, the unspoken rules of space and respect. When some apes turned away from you, you didn’t chase for their approval and when others warmed up to you, you accepted them with quiet gratitude.
What surprised Caesar most was how you treated his sons.
Even in your maternal affections towards them, you never tried to replace Cornelia. Never took what was not yours. You simply were there, a steady presence for his sons, gentle hands, soft words. If Blue Eyes wanted help weaving or asked about the old human world, you answered. If Cornelius fussed or cried, you soothed him with patience that never felt forced. You never claimed them just simply filled the spaces where fear or loneliness settled offering warmth, stories, steady hands. Blue Eyes grew used to sitting beside you and Cornelius slept more soundly when you were near.
Caesar watched, month after month, in silence, his chest aching in a way he did not yet have words for.
Seasons shifted as the colony grew used to your laughter, to the sound of your voice drifting between shelters. Some apes still watched carefully— fewer now, others greeted you openly. Children followed you like little ducks, some perched on you, others holding your hands. Elders listened when you spoke and Caesar...
Caesar found himself looking for you before meetings, listening for the characteristic pitter-patter of your footsteps, measuring his days by whether he had last spoken to you.
He told himself it was gratitude.
He told himself it was trust.
He told himself many things, but none of them quieted his heart.
The night the storm came, the sky split open as thunder roared low and deep, echoing through the trees. Lightning flared in distant flashes, lighting the sky white. The wind rose violent, uneasy and wild.
Cornelius whimpered.
Caesar felt it immediately, the small, frightened sounds, the tension in his youngest son’s body. He moved toward him, but before he could reach him, you were already there.
“It’s all right,” you murmured, gathering the baby ape gently into your arms as Cornelius clutched your shirt, trembling and hiding his face in your neck, seeking warmth and security. You sat down in the cover of the hut, rocking him slowly as another rumble passed through the sky. Blue Eyes hesitated before joining, sitting close enough that your shoulders touched.
Thinking of ways of soothing the baby chimp, you remembered a song you used to sing to yourself at nights such as these. Softly, you began to sing, not loudly, not to perform but to soothe the apes in the refuge with you. Humming a soft, steady melody. Old, mournful and beautiful, like wind through branches, your voice rose and fell with the storm, calm where the sky was fierce.
You rested your cheek against Cornelius’ head, a small nostalgic smile in your lips as you began to sing.
“A young man walked through the forest
With his quiver and hunting bow
He heard a young girl singing
And followed the sound below"
The other apes quieted, listening and as some leaned closer, others stilled where they stood. They did not know all the words, but they understood tone, the way sorrow and beauty twined together.
Cornelius relaxed against your chest, the vibrations of your voice soothing his nerves while Blue Eyes’ shoulders eased, breathing a sigh of relief. And one by one, other apes drew closer non threatening, just listening. Soon you were surrounded by the other younglings, who had found refuge in your lap, legs or side.
“There he found the maiden
Who lives in the willow
He called to her as she listened
From a ring of toadstools, red"
Maurice frowned slightly, understanding dawning. A maiden bound to a tree, a spirit tied to her land.
“Come with me, my maiden
Come from thy willow bed…"
Cornelius stirred, uneasy against your chest, your arms tightened protectively.
“She looked at him serenely
And only shook her head."
A murmur passed through the listeners, a recognition of the meaning.
“See me now, a ray of light in the moon dance.
See me now, I cannot leave this place.
Hear me now, a strain of song in the forest.
Don’t ask me to follow where you lead"
Blue Eyes’ brow furrowed in concern, his head finding your shoulder while Caesar felt something shift deep in his chest.
“A young man walked through the forest
With a flower and coat of green,
His love had hair like fire
Her eyes an emerald sheen
She wrapped herself in beauty
So young and so serene
He stood there under the willow
And he gave her the yellow bloom”
The apes understood this part easily; Courtship, admiration, beauty offered with open hands.
“Girl, my heart you’ve captured
Oh, I would be your groom…"
Some of the younger apes that rested in a circle at your feet exchanged glances. Love. A promise.
“She said she’d wed him never
Not near, nor far, nor soon."
The meaning settled like ash around the hut, because love does not mean surrender.
Your voice returned, heavier now, edged with warning.
“See me now, a ray of light in the moon dance
See me now, I cannot leave this place.
Hear me now, a strain of song in the forest
Don’t ask me to follow where you lead.”
Caesar’s breath caught as your voice softened but didn’t falter.
“A young man walked through the forest
With an axe sharp as a knife.
I'll take the green—eyed fairy
And she shall be my wife.
With her, I'll raise my children.
With her, I'll live my life.
The maiden wept when she heard him
When he said he'd set her free.”
A low growl sound passed through the crowd from several apes listening intently. Fear.
Anger
“He took his axe and used it
To bring down her ancient tree
Now your willow’s fallen
Now you belong to me"
No ape needed translation for this, they knew the feeling, they understood perfectly the force.
The Ownership.
Destruction in the name of love.
“See me now (see me now, see me now) a ray of light in the moon dance
See me now (see me now, see me now) I cannot leave this place.
Hear me now (hear me now, hear me now) a ray of light in the moon dance
Don't ask me (don't ask me) to follow where you lead.”
Caesar’s heart clenched painfully as he looked across from you to the serene look in your face, your closed eyes as your head rested against Blue eyes, Cornelius quietly resting against your chest, your chin softly rested upon his head when you sang the final verses, that came like a quiet elegy.
“She followed him out of the forest
And collapsed upon the earth.
Her feet had walked but a distance
From the green land of her birth.”
You rocked Cornelius more gently now as his breath evened out in quiet sleep, voice trembling just slightly.
“She faded into a flower,
That would bloom for one bright eve."
Silence reigned as the loss of the fairy settled in the hearts of the ape colony.
“He could not take from the forest
What was never meant to leave~"
As the song ended the storm had softened. Cornelius slept deeply against your chest, ear pressed against your heartbeat. Blue Eyes’ breathing was slow and even as he too had fallen asleep against your shoulder. Around them, the apes stood not just soothed, but thoughtful.
Caesar stood frozen, his heart beating erratically.
He understood the song fully now.
He watched the way Cornelius trusted you completely. The way Blue Eyes leaned closer without thinking. The way the apes, even the ones wary of your presence, had gathered, their tension fading as your song wrapped around them.
This human woman had done what Caesar’s strength and command never could.
She had belonged.
Caesar felt it then in the sharp and overwhelming beating of his heart, as if it had been pulled straight from his chest and placed in his hands. ‘This is what love looks like’, something inside him whispered. ‘Not possession. Not fear. But presence.’
Love that cages destroys.
Love that demands breaks what it claims.
Love that honors allows life to remain whole.
You looked up at him then, eyes warm, uncertain, open and in that moment, Caesar finally accepted what his heart had been telling him for months.
You were not a threat, neither were you a guest.
You were family.
And he– He was in love.
He stepped forward, finally sitting next to you and his sons, and spoke quietly, so only you could hear. “Thank you… for choosing us without leaving yourself behind.” he said quietly.
Not as a leader. Not as a protector.
But as a father, as a man who had finally understood his own heart.
You smiled, warm and gentle, as if you had always known. You laid your head on his chest as Cornelius slept peacefully and Blue Eyes smiled faintly in his sleep, and finally, Caesar felt peace settle into his chest.
The storm had passed and the forest had listened, and accepted you as one.
That night, as the colony settled back into sleep, Caesar remained near, no longer watching from afar, no longer afraid of the truth. In the wake of the storm, something strong and steady had taken root like a song in the trees.
After that night, Caesar had decided he must court you properly. Although he does not court the way humans do. There are no grand gestures, no declarations. Instead, there are small offerings, the language of his people, the language of survival and trust.
He brings you fruit before meetings, always the ripest. He walks beside you instead of ahead. When disputes rise in the colony, his voice lowers instinctively if you’re near, as though he doesn't want the sharp edges of leadership to cut you.
Of course, you noticed but not all at once, slowly over time.
Sometimes you thank him with a smile that lingers just long enough to make his chest ache. Sometimes you touch his arm when you speak to him, brief and unthinking, almost instinctual, and he has to still himself so he does not lean into it like a starving thing.
He learns your habits, like the humming while working, like your preference between dawn or dusk. You listen more than speak but when you do speak, it is with care, as if words are seeds and not all soil deserves them and Caesar learns to wait.
Others notice too. Some apes soften further, seeing how you fit gently into their lives. The younger ones always look and giggle like they know something you’re not aware of yet. Others remain wary even though they cannot deny how the children seek you out, how calm settles when you’re near.
Everyone sees how Caesar looks at you, not like a leader that surveys a responsibility but rather like a man looks at the place he belongs.
It all happens on a quiet night.
No storms. No danger. Just the low sound of insects and the slow breathing of the forest.
Cornelius sits between you, small hands gripping your fingers as you help him stack smooth stones. Blue Eyes works nearby, carving marks into wood, glancing up every now and then to include you in his quiet commentary of which wood makes the best arrows.
Caesar sits slightly apart, watching. Always watching.
This is what undoes him.
Not battle, nor loss. But this peace, this domesticity.
Caesar has had very little calm domesticity in his life.
Cornelius leans into your side, sleepy and trusting. You adjust without thinking, your arm coming around him, protective but light and Blue Eyes smiles faintly, content as he watches from the corner of his eye.
They look like a family and the realization strikes Caesar so sharply he has to look away.
I did not plan this. I did not choose it, but It grew anyway.
He thinks of Cornelia, of what she would have wanted. Of how she loved strength, yes, but also kindness. How you have never tried to replace her.
You simply loved what remains.
‘If I speak, I risk everything… But if I stay silent, I lose myself.’
Cornelius yawns and you laugh softly, kissing the top of his head, a simple thing, instinctive but it makes Caesar stand.
“Come,” he says quietly. “It is late.”
Blue Eyes nods and gathers his tools. You lift Cornelius easily, gathering him in your arms as though you had done so all your life. You move together toward their hut, the tallest overlooking the rest of the colony. Later, when the boys are asleep, Caesar finds himself alone with you by the dying fire.
The silence is not awkward but it is full of feelings boiling over.
He stares at the flames, searching for words that will not fracture what you have built until he finds his courage as Caesar finally speaks.
“I watched you tonight.” You turn toward him with a small smile, curious but not alarmed.
“You do that a lot,” you gently quip, looking at his serious green eyes. He huffs, it was true.
Caesar exhales slowly, reigning in his uneven breathing.
“My sons trust you,” he says. “The colony trusts you.”
You wait with batted breath.
“Caesar trusts you,” he adds, voice rough with honesty. You don’t interrupt as Caesar finally looks at you, a vulnerable twinkle in his green eyes.
‘If I do not speak now, I never will.’
“Caesar… did not know,” he says, carefully, testing his words “that love could be quiet.”
Your breath stills in your chest, eyes widening at the vulnerable leader before you.
“Caesar thought it was… fire. Or pain. Or something Caesar had to fight for.” He shakes his head slightly, huffing in disbelief. “But you… you came without force. You stayed without being asked. You care without taking.” His hands curl against his knees. “and Caesar cannot help but…”
His eyes once again find yours, green seeking (e/c).
“I love you.” The words fall between the both of you, unadorned. True.
“I do not ask you to follow me,” he says, voice low. “I only ask… that you walk beside me… if you choose.”
Silence.
Then you reach out not afraid and take his hand in yours, grip warm. Certain.
“I already am,” You respond and slowly you pull your face closer to his, breathing against his lips, foreheads collide in a loving confession.
Later that same night, Caesar lies awake next to you in his nest, listening to the breathing of his sons and the quiet presence of the woman who slowly became part of their world.
The forest is still and for the first time in a long while, so is his heart.
Because he finally has learned how to love without cutting down the tree that shelters him.
☆彡･::･★彡･::･☆彡
A/n: Did y'all think I would forget my ape fam this Holiday season??? Here you go, our mighty Caesar and some fluffy moments with Blue Eyes and Cornelius! Let me know your thoughts, please!! Should I make a taglist for all my PotA fics? Tell me if you'd like to be tagged in all my PotA fics!! ଘ(੭ˊᵕˋ)੭* ੈ✩‧₊
Okay so we're gonna try something new here tumblr. Ever since I saw the new Planet of the apes film a month ago I got interested in the fandom once again but never thought anyone wrote fics for the fandom. After reading some on FF.net as well as here, it got me wanting to write a series while I'm on a writer's block for my current series. And thus this series was born.
This entire series will encompass the Andy Serkis trilogy and will be a Caesar fic. But it is STRICTLY PLATONIC so if that's not your cup of tea, no hate and just move on. This is my story and I'll write it the way I want to.
Now to those who wish to give this series a chance as you read, leave a comment down below if you wish to be tagged for updates (rn I'll be binge posting cause I've already got 10 chapters ready to go and be read).
WARNINGS: Fluff, angst, swearing, violence. So this won't be for the light of heart (at least until I get to Dawn and then War).
Some say that the bonds between human and animal are a unique thing. That there’s an unbreakable trust between the two and that they are fated to always be together. Others say that like soulmates, there’s always an animal for a person who needs them the most. For me, I would end up having the most unique of all bonds with an animal that is closest to my own species of animal.
This is the story of such a bond, this is the story of Lin and Caesar.
It was nightfall and pouring down rain as I rode home with my best friend Gabriella and her mother. Gabi and I had known each other since Pre-K after we both had a love for the Disney movie Lilo and Stitch. From that moment on we’ve been inseparable. Currently I was getting a ride home with her mom after our strings class.
She and I after school go over to the rec center every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday nights and perform with the San Fransisco Strings and Orchestra for minors. Gabi plays the cello and I play the violin. We’re both pretty good if I do say so myself, our teacher tells us that we could eventually go far into the world of music if we set our mind to it. But I think I’m good cause of my genetics, after all my grandpa was a former music professor and conductor. But he doesn’t really play anymore, or at least he tries to.
We soon stopped at my house and I said grabbing my things and readied my umbrella.
“Thanks for the ride Mrs. Montez.”
“Anytime Lin sweetie. Watch out crossing the dark, wet sidewalk.”
“I will, see you tomorrow in class Gabi.”
“See yah Lin.” I quickly opened the door and opened up my umbrella before quickly racing across the sidewalk and up the stairs to my front door. I took my key and unlocked the door but not before waving one final time and soon Mrs. Montez drove off down the road.
I entered inside and shook off my umbrella before hanging it to dry. I also took off my raincoat and hung it up beside it before walking further into the house proclaiming.
“Hello? Grandpa? Uncle Will?” that’s when I heard the sound of cooing, like a baby cooing but it wasn’t human. I set my violin case down to the banister by the front door and walked into the study room where I found a large box with holes sitting on the table. As I got closer to it, I heard my uncle say.
“Oh perfect timing, guess that means I can show you both.” I turned and saw both my uncle and grandpa coming around from the kitchen entry.
“Show me what?” uncle Will walked passed me, ruffled my hair and stood over the box.
“Hey grandpa.”
“Hey sweetheart. Get another gold star from Ms. Honey for good behavior?” I smiled solemnly. Ms. Honey was my kindergarten teacher, my current teacher is Mr. Simmons.
My grandpa for the past couple of years has been dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. Uncle Will told me that it’s a disease that slowly eats away at the brain’s cells, affecting memory and sometimes body function. You see, my parents died in a plane crash when I was just 3 years old and in their will they had the next guardianship be my grandpa. But two years ago, that’s when the disease started to take its effect on him.
So my uncle Will had to move in with us to help not only take care of me but of grandpa too. And when he’s at work and I’m at school, a nice nurse comes in and helps take care of grandpa.
“Grandpa, I’m in the 4th grade. My teacher is Mr. Simmons. You know the nice man you and uncle Will met last month at the school picnic.” He looked dazed for a second but then said.
“Oh right, yeah I knew that.”
“Dad, Lin, come check this out.” Uncle Will said trying to redirect the conversation. We came over and the second we looked inside, there lay a baby monkey.
“Is that a monkey?” I asked with a head tilt.
“He’s actually a chimpanzee, an ape.” Uncle Will corrected me. Grandpa was in pure awe as he slowly reached in and touched the baby chimp.
“What is that? Is he injured?” he asked as I took notice of a mark right around the right side of his chest. It was a prominent balding mark in a unique shape, a long oval shape with an additional stripe at the top. Kinda reminded me of an incomplete cross or an unfinished F.
“No, I think that’s a birthmark.” Uncle Will said as he crossed into the kitchen and started putting some things into the fridge. All the while grandpa picked up the baby chimp and lifted him high into the air like he was Simba. The little guy was just small enough to fit between both of grandpa’s hands.
“Listen Lin,” he told me before he began quoting, “‘But as for Caesar, kneel down, kneel down and wonder.’”
“He’s so cute.” I awed as I reached out and touched his little toes.
“Yeah don’t get too attached, either of you.” Uncle Will told us.
“So why bring him here then if we can’t keep him?” I sassed.
“He’s not a dog or a cat, not even a bunny rabbit. He’s a wild animal. My coworker promised he’d try to find an animal sanctuary for him in a couple of days.” I let out a exasperated groan.
“Animal sanctuaries are still prisons.”
“Don’t get smart young lady.” My uncle playfully reprimanded as he pointed at me.
“It’s not polite to point.” I sassed back.
“Polite? Okay, I’ll show you polite.” My uncle said as he shut the fridge and giving me that narrowed but playful look in his eyes. I took off running as he raced after me. I got only up four stairs before I felt two arms wrap around me and he swung me away from the staircase and the next thing I felt was a wet finger in my ear.
“GAHH EWW UNCLE WILL!!!”
“Yeah your mom did this to me all the time when we were kids, now it’s payback.” He laughed.
“I’m innocent in this vile act!” I proclaimed dramatically.
“But you must pay for the sins of thy mother young youth!”
“Will, Maria, you two better stop horsing around in there.” At hearing my mom’s name we both settled down and a somber feeling was in the air.
“He’s been calling me that on and off for the past week.”
“Honestly who can blame him. You look so much like her when she was your age.” He said with a soft smile and he ruffled my hair again.
“Really?”
“Yeah. And when have I ever lied about anything in regards to my big sister?”
“Never.”
“Exactly.” He then playfully nudged my side with his before changing the subject. “Now please tell me you managed to eat dinner cause I’ve had a long day of work and I don’t feel like cooking anything.”
“Lucky for you, the rec center was hosting a pizza party after the past few months prepping for Districts last week. Maestro Fiyero said we earned a little break after working us so hard.”
“Good. Now why don’t you brush your teeth and get ready for bed.”
“Why does my curfew have to be 9 o’clock? I’m 10 years old, not five.”
“Growing girls needs sleep too you know.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Tell grandpa I said goodnight will yah?”
“Will do kid. Sleep tight, don’t let the bedbugs bite.”
“You too.” I grabbed my violin and raced on upstairs and did my nighttime routine before getting into bed and turning off the light.
As the night progressed, I soon heard the sounds of shrieks coming from the hallway. I opened my eyes and looked at my clock to see that it was 2:30am. I got up and let out a cough and muttered to myself.
“Need some juice.” Quietly I walked down the hallway towards the stairs but as I came to the bathroom I could hear the shower running as well as the bathroom sink. Did grandpa accidentally leave the water running again after taking his shower? No, Uncle Will would’ve turned it off by now.
I knocked softly on the door and I heard my uncle’s voice say.
“It’s just me dad.”
“I’m not grandpa.” I heard footsteps and the door cracked open and when he saw me, he brought me into the bathroom before closing it. Immediately I was hit with the heat that had been trapped by the hot water that was coming from both the shower and the sink.
“What are you doing up so late Lin?”
“I heard shrieking and then I got thirsty.”
“Ohh sorry, guess this little guy woke you up too huh?” it was then I took notice of the baby chimp swaddled up in my uncle’s arms. I looked down at him and he looked up at me, moving his grip from my uncle’s finger to mine as he cooed.
“He looks like he has a cold.”
“You think?”
“Yeah, his nose is kinda runny.”
“Well that’s normal for babies sometimes. He’s barely a day old. You definitely had a runny nose when you were born.”
“No I didn’t!”
“Oh yeah you were quite the little snot monster. The original boogeyman, or boogeygirl.” He said taking his free hand that was on top of the baby chimp and playfully gripped my nose.
“Uncle Will!” I whined softly which made him laugh. Our moment was stopped as the baby chimp let out a few more coos before snuggling up to uncle Will, all the while the grip on my finger got a bit tighter. I smiled down at him and said as I stroked my thumb over his tiny fingers. “Are you sure we can’t keep him?”
“I’ll—think about it. Holding him like this….makes me think back to the day you were born. Boy your mom wouldn’t let me near you at first. Feared I was gonna drop you, she always had that fierce mama bear instinct right from the get-go. Even when we were growing up and as she tormented me at times. When I needed it, she was there with her hot-headed attitude.”
“I miss her uncle Will.”
“Me too kid. Me too.” I leaned up against him and he rested his head on top of mine giving it a soft kiss. “Go on back to bed, I’ll stay up with him.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah. I’m used to all-nighters, one day you might get there when you’re composing your first symphony. But for now, head back to bed.”
“Can I still get my juice first? I’m thirsty.”
“Just this once. Just be quiet when passing Charles’ room.” I nodded before leaning down and gave the baby chimp a kiss to which he let out a cute yawn and quiet hoot.
“Goodnight little chimp. Night uncle Will.” I gave him a peck on the cheek and he said goodnight to me as I quietly left the bathroom shutting the door immediately as I got out. I went downstairs, got my drink and went back to bed.
The next morning I was finishing my breakfast and packing my school books into my backpack as uncle Will was coming down with the baby chimp and set him up in my old high-stool chair that grandpa had kept.
“Where’s my car keys?” grandpa asked as he was patting through his robe and pj pockets. “My car keys where’d you put them? I need to get Lin to school!” he said urgently.
“Dad.” Uncle Will calmly spoke to him. “You-you don’t drive anymore. And Lin takes the bus.” Grandpa looked at him with a blank stare before turning away and telling him.
“I know that.” It really does make me sad to see grandpa this way. He always looks so dazed and lost, like he’s here with us but at the same time he’s not. Sometimes he’ll just sit there and stare off into space, frozen in his spot and not say anything for a really long time.
“Here, why don’t you feed him? Can you do that?” uncle Will suggested holding up a baby bottle filled with milk.
“Of course I can.” Said grandpa coming over. As uncle Will went to get his coffee (blech!) grandpa came over and grabbed the bottle which made the baby chimp go crazy with hunger as he reached out for it. As soon as it was in reach, he grabbed the bottle from grandpa’s hand and immediately began drinking it as fast as he could.
I dropped my fork and stared at him in awe. I was told that babies always needed help being fed for at least several months and yet after just being born yesterday, he was feeding himself.
“Will, look at this.” Grandpa said as uncle Will came back into the kitchen and saw what we saw. “How old is he? Like a day old, two days old?” Uncle Will sat down as he examined the baby chimp confused.
“Yeah.” Uncle Will said lowly as he kept his eyes on the baby chimp.
“Oh he’s a smart one isn’t he?” said grandpa as he came around and sat on the other side of the baby and gently placed his hand on top of his head. “What are you gonna name him?”
“I—I don’t know.” Uncle Will said unsure. That’s when I saw it. Now I’m no monkey or ape expert but from pictures I’ve seen in books they normally have dark eyes, mostly brown but this little guy. His eyes were green.
A green eyed baby chimpanzee. One look into his eyes and I knew that he was something very special.
#project hail mary
#the amazing digital circus
#photography
