#caesar pota

[ozomatlii]

Thinking about him again...

Actually, since a year i didnt stop thinking about him, i love him so much mua mua

[doctor-ryland-grace]

Foliage. ( Caesar x Reader, POTA Oneshot. )

Title: Foliage. Fandom: ( Dawn of the ) Planet of the Apes, ( War for the ) Planet of the Apes. Pairing: Implied ! Caesar x Human!Reader. ( No descriptors, Gender neutral. ) Rating: T ( Mentions of war and tiny mentions of blood, but nothing too heavy. Words: 2.4K Summary: Set between Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War for the Planet of the Apes - You are having a hard time with the changes that came so rapidly to your world. Caesar offers some wisdom.

( author notes at end. )

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All that was carried through the air, crisp and loud enough to smother, was the smell of smoke from the embers of the communal bonfire. It was far enough away but gently, the wind brought the scent to you and juxtaposed, it burned your eyes to the verge of minor tears around the edges. Your back was slightly moist from leaning against the mossy bark of a tree, but not enough to cause discomfort or even garner a shift in position. Sitting on the ground was never the best of ideas, especially in the early morning hours when the fog was beginning to settle against the Earth and coasted out in all directions. Anything under two feet tall was difficult to see and you risked being tripped over or crushed if someone came riding into the Colony horseback. 

It was indeed a risk, but not one likely to come to fruition. The spot you had found yourself in was one that was reserved for moments like this. Where the weight of the world around you came tumbling in and you were helpless to stop it. Most of the Ape expeditions travelled out from the other side as a matter of convenience; it was where the horse stables were located. By all intents and purposes, you were free to sit on the ground here without worry, but still, it always lingered in the back of your mind like a plague.

There was no true sense of freedom for you anymore – not for a human at least. The Colony… Crinkling the leaf between your stiff fingers, you looked out into the small clearing that rested just beyond the edge of the place you and others not of your kind called home. Autumn was crushing itself into view and touch as evident by the item in your hand and many more scattered aimlessly along the forest floor. It used to be such an exciting thing - watching the leaves change color. From the vibrancy of green that shed its dominance into a sea of washed water pigment. 

Yellows would fade into oranges, which would then kiss gently into reds and in turn that bled occasionally into the more rare sights such as rich purples and muddy browns as the season progressed. The shades would remind you that the year was coming to a draw, bookended now as the trees left their lives of summer behind for the bleakness of the Winter. 

A slow breath escaped your lungs, exhaling all desires at the world that you had lost.

A slow breath swept into your lungs, inhaling all the necessities of the world you’ve come to be a part of.

Your joints were slightly painful from the chill that was holding in the air, you cursed not bringing your gloves but you wouldn’t be able to trace the dying veins on the yellow tinted leaf you decided to keep yourself busy with if you had. The Apes welcomed you with open arms after what happened. After the flu that ravaged and killed most of what you held dear, after the in-fighting amongst the Apes themselves - a clear depiction that they were too much like the Humans they sought to distinguish themselves from, after endless arguments that your mere existence within the Colony was a danger and that you were going to be the slow demise of all they had built.

Languid and painful, everyday that passed where you woke up in a bundle of furs amongst them was just another notch in the ticking-time bomb of your existence. And that was why you were so disconnected now, sitting on the muddy ground of the forest, eager to find some solace away from a culture that wasn’t yours, flying hands that spoke more often than vocal cords. Just for a second - anything to help ease and remember who you were and where you came from. 

The small hairs that line the tips of your ears felt prickly, a spread of encased heat rubbed against your diaphragm. Uncomfortable, but you’ve come to recognize it as an alarm your body has been programmed to. Before a sound even broke the barrier, you were turning to your right. Fallen leaves from the nearby trees finally cried out as they were crunched under severe body weight as the intruder came forward. They were not threatening, you released some tension in your shoulders at the familiar gait. He walked with such quiet grace and aptitude, there was always a flicker of jealousy in your stomach at the thought that you’d never be quite the same. But within his stride… 

Your eyes softened as he neared, the scent of his wet fur encapsulating your nostrils and it began to outweigh the scent of the lingering ashes. Green and gold irises as dark and deep as the wet bark of the tree you were against yet as light as the melody of the Autumn coated trees nearby finally met your curious gaze, without reserve or hesitation. You redacted your previously started thought and replaced it with a better formed introspective. Within Caesar himself was the tightening hold of leadership thrust upon him but it was married affectionately with deliberate gentleness that was reserved for special occasions.

It never flitted across your mind that this would be one of those occasions, caught almost red-handed as if you were a child who ran away from home but the way he came around, such reverence in his stride, each placement of his footing intentional and bare, said otherwise. He was being purposefully quiet, something you decided to break as a few more stray leaves fell from what seemed like the Heavens themselves. “I didn't know I asked you to follow me.” There was banter in your statement but underlining that was a solemn interlude that carried into the already whispering hush of the forest. 

Caesar was intuitive enough to recognize the twinge of sarcasm seeping in your tone as well. He huffed in response, a small plume of cold air evident in front of his muzzle at the action and if you looked closely enough, you could see the rustling of the greying fur around his face. You watched his exhale disperse with a slight smile, turning back to the clearing of maple and oak trees, knowing that if there was no discipline, you would have looked at him in wonderment all day, hours on end without recourse. That was the sort of domineering trance that the Ape King put you in, but the way he glanced back, there was no doubt that it was a returned sentiment. 

“Never have to ask.” Was your baritone response, equally lined with the emotion you threw at him first.

It was your turn to huff, though it came out more as a chuckle as you nodded in contentment as Caesar craned his body to your level. For a split second, with the shift in his broad body to squat beside you, holding his weight rather skillfully in a hunched posture, his face was only a few inches from yours before it returned to a more suitable distance. About two feet, you figured as you tilted your head and peered into the distance. The jostling from that action caused some of the condensation on your hair to thicken into water droplets that now held desperately to their last hopes of staying on your head. 

“Winter’s almost here.”

There was some sort of absent-mindedness to your words as if on autopilot and you were talking to a stranger in line at the grocery store about mundane life. Something that hasn’t happened in a long time but it was now a memory that faded in and out of clarity when it saw fit. All of your memories were like that. Crisp and lively like some leaves, soggy and tasteless like others. It depended on how you looked at them. There was more to say, more you wanted to lament but your chapped lips came to a close while Caesar’s stare followed your own. Through the thickets of the forest was the rising sun and soon the fog that was blanketing around would disappear and the light would lay its claim, yet the cold still persisted. “It’s sad to see the Summer go. I wish it lasted a little longer.”

The double meaning in your phrase didn't go unnoticed and you were consciously aware of that. Caesar, of the many things that could describe him, was remarkably smart and had spent enough time around other Humans to understand that. The Ape knew what you meant from the envious recesses of your mind and it caused a lapsed silence to fall between the two of you.

There was some sickening idea that he was now thinking the same thing you were - about your lives before and it was distasteful to know that you were right. Caesar had many ideals about his life before, but the windowpane that became the symbol of the Apes’ freedom always came back. The endless days of Autumn where he would sit in his room, watching the shift in the leaves. Watching them fall off one by one onto the ground. Watching the wind pick them up and carry them away, sometimes in troves like little families. There was a time that he truly wanted to escape like that, and now that he had, remnants of the past still managed to haunt. 

The passage of time was a finicky matter and Caesar never conceptualized how much he’d miss keeping track of it. How things were marked in true years back then and weren’t labeled by things such as the leaves falling, the first snow, the flowers blossoming or the sweltering heat- though his instincts told him the aforementioned was the true way to go. A year never fit into a box. And yet… The worst one was the inevitable reminder that… Other Humans hadn’t been spotted in years. It was coming, as it always did near this time. Another leaf falling from the sky to decompose into the Earth, falling and falling… Until they were all gone, rotted away into nothingness. There would be traces here and there but nothing like they were.

Lifting your hand up, you offered the leaf that was still lingering in your grasp to Caesar with a jilted grin. Maybe he could forget this whole thing with the offering and you could just go back to silence and enjoy the sun rising---

“All things must change.” Caesar took the leaf from you, your heart beating rapidly in your chest at the feeling of his fingertips grazing yours. There was a second you wanted to protest to tell him to be careful with it, but you watched in bated tranquility instead as his thick fingers flipped the leaf to show the undercarriage that still remained slightly green. It appeared so soft against his more calloused skin and a deep urge to compare the two surfaces rose. 

Nodding, you swallowed back the little lump that developed in your throat so you didn't croak in response and brought your hands to your lap, intertwining your fingers in a meager attempt to keep them warm now that they weren’t holding anything. In a subdued way, you gave your reply. “I wish they didn't have to change that much.”

He was building the cadence of his words, putting true thought into how he was going to come across. With other Apes, it was mind over matter but with you…the challenge did present itself. Drawing a breath in, the hackles along Caesar’s shoulders rose in contemplation. “Forest… changes… Let’s go of the past…” Symbolically, the leaf that he had taken from you was released and you watched as it tumbled to the ground next to your feet. It was slow and deafening, looking now out of place beside your worn out boots. One move and you could crush it under your---

 “In order to survive. We must… do the same.”

“Doesn’t it scare you?” That was a quick draw inquiry, you were well aware and from the way that Caesar’s eyes widened out of the corner of your peripheral, it caught him off guard. He was good at answering questions straight on, he was getting better at answering philosophically. This war that they did not start, this war that your people sought after, but never did blame fly your way from Caesar’s lips, caused lost sleep. Caused days upon days not being in the comforts of a true home, and so many of them lost to the passage of time and changing fare… Sighing, he looked off into the distance again. The sun was now cresting over the horizon and was painting the forest in golden rays. There was a lack of heat associated with it, but it felt nice to have some clarity of what was out there between the trees.

“Yes, but…” The connection to raw honesty that he possessed was admirable. No point in sugar coating things in a war torn state. But still, Caesar found ways to soften the blow as he always did with touchy subjects. At least with you, and it warmed something that spread along your ribcage, up your spine and into the back of your head and the notion that Caesar truly reserved things only for you. “Things… must change now so they… Can grow again. Better. Stronger.”

“What if it can’t?” There was that feeling of falling again. Your hand outreached, looking for something to hold onto. Something to bring sanity. You found yourself grasping at another leaf, this one more red than the previous. You studied it for a few seconds, admiring the way that the color seeped into the almost faux leather texture in the center where it was still alive, but slowly dying. “What if… Things can’t grow here anymore?”

“They can… They will.” Raising his hand, Caesar lightly cupped your own and urged nimbly, his voice barely a touch above a whisper as he leaned towards you. You thought for a split second that he would press his forehead to yours, but instead, you felt his hand opening yours to release the leaf you had sought after and it danced its way to the ground to lay beside its friend. “First, you must… Let go.”

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A/N: UHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH DID I JUST MAKE MY COMEBACK? Sorry if it's a bit meh, I'm rusty. Also?? me using this to cope? Yeah. HAHAH. Likes and reblogs always appreciated, thanks for reading. :)

[tellerficraz]

THEM:

ME:

[reddesires]

Sleeping Positions Headcanons. (Caesar, Noa, Blue Eyes, Anaya, Koba.)

Caesar

You sleep coiled into his side, his arm a cushion for your head. He likes to study your softened features as you sleep, the way your mouth is slightly agape, and the twitch of your brows as you dream. You take comfort in his warmth, the harsh winter months to come blowing full steam ahead and taking hold of your bones and choking out the heat from your blood. Caesar's warmth and the safety of the nest your safety net from the harshness of the climate, he enjoys your dependence on him in your sleep, your vulnerability and softness only encourages his innate need to pull your closer into his side.

Noa

Noa pulls you halfway on top of him, your leg straddling his taut waist and your chest pressed against his pec. He listens to your sleep induced breathing, allowing it to subdue him from the stresses of his long day. His hand will be absent-mindedly soothe your soft skin, and he'll always be on the lookout for the soft contented sigh that escapes you at his touch, your body instinctively reacting to the touch of your mate. He lay with you until finally his mind finally eases enough that it'll let sleep completely enrapture his senses, snuggling his face into your hair.

Blue Eyes

Blue Eyes prefers to be the bigger spoon, completely encasing your frame with his body. His head resting on top of yours, the feeling of his warmth and the safety of his arms causing a love smitten smile to slip onto your lips. His calloused hand grabs on to yours, and he emphasizes that sleep finds him easier when he's cuddled on to you. It's become routine for him and sleep will utterly evade him if your not there with him so when a hunt is longer than expected and he'll have to spend the night away from you, it's absolute hell and he wants nothing more than to have you in his arms and the comfort of the nest surrounding him.

Anaya

Anaya basically sleeps on to of you, his limbs wildly spread out, and his dead weight now the norm for you. He's an abnormal sleeper and he often moves throughout the night but you can guarantee that some part of his body is on you at all times, you'll often lay on your back awaiting sleep to finally take hold of you as you listen to the sleepy mumbles that escape him, it makes you smile but you envy how easy sleep comes to him. You'll sometimes soothe the fur on top of his head, a soft giggle emitting from you as you watch the twitch of his nose and the wiggle of his limbs at your touch.

Koba

You often find yourself falling asleep side by side, close in proximity but not exactly cuddling. It's only when you have fallen asleep that he makes a move. When he's in need of comfort, he'll hug onto your waist, his head resting on the softness of your tummy. Sleep evades him frequently, and he's not exactly keen on asking for consolation, but the openness that you emit whilst in sleep eases him enough to pull himself closer to you. You don't mind it, and you would rather not say anything about it when you wake with him huddled into your tummy. You wouldn't want to chase him back into self isolation. This was something that didn't need to be spoken on.

[olivepolish]

I HAVE DECIDED TO START WRITING A FANFIC.

WHAT KIND, YOU MAY ASK?

AN OC INSERT.

FOR WHAT FANDOM?

THIS ONE.

The fanfic is called Grow Back Your Sharpest Teeth (You Know My Desire), or GBYST for short, and it will be posted on here and ao3!

Summary: 'In a world taken over by apes, a woman named Rue breaks free from a toxic relationship and escapes into the forest. Little does she know, she's not alone.'

The story will include some dark themes like S/A, misogyny, abuse, violence, and death, (but only shown mostly in the first chapter), so reader discretion is advised.

I will post the first chapter sometime around August 12th.

Until then, I will keep writing and I will post things about the story such as the characters, my oc, the plot, etc.

[randumb-dork]

~MY SANCTUARY~

A Caesar(POTA) X Human! Reader fanfic

<- Prev Chap | Next Chap ->

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Word count: 4,661

Rating: Mature

Warnings: SA: inappropriate touching/groping/contact/rubbing, mention of gore, body horror, spiders, feeling paralyzed/unable to move, being unable to speak, overwhelming fear and helplessness, brief hysteria

If I miss any other warnings, please let me know so I can add it!

A/N- So sorry for delaying for a week! As I mentioned in my update post last Saturday, this month has been unexpectedly busy 😅 But, I was finally able to squeeze in some time to edit the next chapter! Hope y’all like it, cuz honestly I’m not entirely sure how I feel about this one 💀 Let me know what you think! If you’d like pfft.

☽✧∙∙✺∙∙✧☽

~Chapter 5~

The first thing I registered was the searing pain erupting from my abdomen, a rough and scalding hand exploring the space hungrily, my body refusing to move beneath a heavy weight above me.

My vision was blurred, barely making out a dark figure above me as their hands continued to explore my body, feeling as if they left my skin burned and blistered at every surface they touched. I tried to scream, but nothing came out of my gaping mouth, even as I felt an uncomfortable heat being pushed up against my bare pelvis.

No.

This can’t be happening.

Where am I?

Why am I here?

Who is-

As if a light had been flicked on, my vision cleared and I almost vomited at the sight above me, my skin crawling with spiders and veins freezing over.

The man.

He was bloodied and covered in large nasty bruises, his chest caved in as if he had been brutally pounded and crushed by something, ribs protruding from the skin and sticking out in unnatural and nauseating directions. His head didn’t fare any better— skull split wide open and skin hanging from the bone, blood continuously oozing from every opening, and a gaping black hole in place of his right eye.

I felt my entire body tremble in horror, my limbs frozen in place as if I was witnessing the moment out of the eyes of a doll, unable to do anything but watch and feel with extremely sensitive skin as he explored my bare body, my skin darkening as if it was decomposing at his touch.

I was hyper aware of everything that was happening, the noises he was making a disturbing distortion of gurgles and screaming— the feeling of thousands of spiders scurrying over me and sinking their fangs into my skin. Sweltering hands left their mark on my skin as they explored every surface of my being, the unwelcome and vile touch reaching into and invaded my insides, crushing my lungs and tangling up my innards, all the while a scorching and vile obtrusion rubbed almost animalisticly against my most private quarters.

It was too much.

Everything was too much.

I couldn’t take it.

Let me go!

Stop!

Please stop!

Then, I was suddenly hearing my voice let out a shrill scream, finally being able to feel my limbs as I frantically tried to push the man away, my hands making no contact as if he had been a ghost. I could feel tears streaming down my face, unable to catch my breath as I hysterically kicked and pushed with all I could muster, crying uncontrollably at the phantom sensations of hands gripping my arms. I could still see the shadowed silhouette of the man hovering over me, a thick and dark substance oozing from his wide eyes and gaping mouth.

I needed to get away.

I needed to run.

I needed to-

A hand that felt too warm and leathery against my sensitive skin was suddenly placed on my shoulder, followed by an incoherent noise sounding beside me, to which I let out a terrified scream, sobbing all the while I desperately pushed myself away from the touch, my back making contact with a wall.

I was trapped.

I didn’t even register the words that were bubbling out of my mouth, too hysterical to even take in my surroundings, instead focusing on desperately brushing off the phantom hands and spiders that were crawling over my skin.

I don’t know how long I had been doing that, but my ears started to pick up an almost silent and gentle noise coming from just ahead of me, to which I tried to focus on out of slight confusion and curiosity, lifting my head and trying to blink my tears away. Little by little, the deafening sounds in my head started to let up, the soft noise becoming more clear.

“… You… Are… Safe.”

The voice clearly spoke in a soothing tone, a gentle rumble following the words.

As my vision slowly started to return from my delirious state, heart hammering loudly in my chest, I then noticed pale-gold fur almost glistening in the dark. The sight of it was soothing and familiar, helping to gradually bring me back to reality.

I was in Ravi’s hut.

In my own nest that he had built for me.

He was sitting on the edge of my nest, fur sticking up in haphazard and messy directions, but looking as soft as silk. His expression was extremely worried, jade rimmed with gold flicking between my eyes, gently cooing and letting out concerned hoots, repeating over and over that I was safe in a slow whisper.

Realizing that I was not back at that camp— with that man— my eyes blurred once again, but this time out of overwhelming relief, feeling myself numbly scramble towards Ravi and desperately throwing my arms around his torso, squeezing as hard as I could as I frantically buried my face against the silky fur on his chest with the most heartbreaking sob I had ever heard come out of my mouth. The force of it shook my entire being.

Feeling long and steady arms wrap around me the instant I collided with him, I allowed myself to release all of the fear from my system, clutching his fur as I let out petrified, broken, and breathless sobs, pressing myself as close as possible to him as if yearning for him to rid my mind of the nightmare I had realized I just woke up from.

Skin still feeling overly sensitive, I could feel every brush and tickle of his fur as he held me, hearing his heart hammering in his broad chest as he took in deep breaths, his muzzle nuzzling against the top of my head. I felt completely encased by him, his short legs wrapping around my thighs and clutching his feet together behind me, holding me so close and so tightly— yet gently— that my fear eventually started to ebb away.

I was safe with Ravi, and this very moment had only solidified that fact.

Even from my own nightmares, my best friend would protect me.

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After that first night I had arrived— waking up from that terrifyingly real nightmare— almost all of the apes seemed to stare at me in worry the next day, to which Cornelia stepped in to stop them from staring, whisking me away to start teaching me what she had offered to teach, knowing the distraction would help my anxiety.

Now and then, as days and weeks passed, I would get similar nightmares— more those first few nights in Ravi’s hut— but the golden-furred chimp was always there for me, carefully bringing me out of my hysteria and comforting me afterwards, staying with me until I fell asleep.

During the day, I learned everything I could from Maurice and Cornelia in the safety of the communal area. I hadn’t stepped a foot out of the colony since I had arrived, determined to learn as quick as possible, and also scared at the possibility of running into any humans outside of the wall, even though I knew that I would some day have to accompany Cornelia and the other female apes to gather food for the colony. But when Cornelia and the females did leave, I always stayed with Maurice to listen in on his education for the young chimps, soaking everything up like a sponge and helping him with the rowdy children as best I could. Although it was difficult at times, I absolutely adored them, easily gaining their trust and allowing them to sit in my lap, on my shoulder, or even on my head if they were small enough, grooming my hair whether it was down or up in a ponytail or braid. I never minded if they messed my hair up, or got mud on me.

The times Cornelia stayed behind instead of foraging, it was because she was either too tired to go, or she had to stay to care for the sick and injured, as she was the head medic in the colony. I tried learning everything I could from her, knowing that the knowledge would be extremely useful, so any time I was free and she was needing help, I jumped at the chance to help. Sure, it was difficult guessing when she was explaining in signs what a specific plant did or how to apply certain pastes, but we managed, and I was able to learn a few signs for a few plants I recognized.

Oh, and at some point, I was finally able to ask Caesar about the clothing I wished to get rid of, to which he took from my hands without a word, surprising me but also making me feel grateful that I wouldn’t have to deal with them anymore. And at another point during the weeks that passed, after Ravi had once again pressed his forehead against mine before leaving to hunt with the group responsible for hunting that day, I had asked Caesar about it, to which he had responded that it was a sign of trust, of friendship, of family, and of love.

The gesture warmed my heart, and knowing that Caesar had done the same to me that day in the small alcove behind the waterfall— which had become my designated bathing spot— it made me realize that he trusted me enough to consider me as a friend, or even family. And after that day, I started doing the same to Ravi at times, placing my forehead against his when I was too grateful for words to express what I was feeling, or when I was simply greeting him back from his hunting trips with the others, always getting the chimp to beam happily at me, his mood improving immediately. It made me happy that he accepted the gesture, but lately I had also wished to express it towards another, my adoration for the ape king only strengthening as the days passed.

I wanted to express how much I trusted him, how much I was grateful to him, how much I wanted to follow him. I looked up to him as a benevolent leader. But, I was too shy and afraid of how he would react, so I decided not to go through with it whenever I was close enough to him and the thought came to mind.

I did start to include Cornelia and Maurice at one point however, feeling comfortable enough with them to express that I thought of them as a part of my family, trusting them and being extremely thankful to the both of them for taking the time to teach me everything I needed to know. And I was learning fairly quickly, according to Caesar and Ravi, who watched my ASL improve daily to the point I was able to sign basic words and start to understand bits and pieces of what others were signing.

It made me giddy, finally getting the basis of what Ravi was signing to me. And learning sign also helped me get closer to the other apes, to the point I was now accepted, as if I’d been with the colony since the beginning.

Of course, Koba still rather avoided me and shot me unpleasant looks, but everyone else became comfortable with me, sometimes even initiating conversations as I was mending a basket with Cornelia’s supervision. It made me happy that I was finally with a group who I got along with, who provided food for me, who worked as a community to get things done instead of putting all the work onto me, and who kept me safe.

I never wanted to leave the colony.

————————————————————————————

“Wait wait wait. Hold on. You’re saying that all this time I’ve been with you… That I’ve sat right next to you for weeks as you taught me things… You’ve been pregnant? And you only just decided to tell me?” I asked in shock, moving my hands along now and then to sign the words I had learned as I spoke, blinking owlishly at the apparently pregnant chimp sitting beside me. There wasn’t even any obvious sign.

Said chimp seemed to smile in amusement, her hands deftly mending an animal skin blanket for a small chimp that was anxiously watching her work, a finger sticking into his mouth with wide impatient eyes. His friends wished to play with him, as they tried to get his attention with hoots and hollers, but he paid them no mind, hoping to get his blanket fixed as soon as possible. It still amazed me just how similar humans and apes could be as I spent time with them over the past month or so.

“Yes. —— — our first child. I —— ——— soon.” I watched her sign after she placed the blanket on her lap for a moment, trying hard to understand every word but missing a few of the signs. But, I got the gist of what she was saying.

She will be due soon? How soon?

“Your first child with Caesar?” I asked in surprise, feeling something slightly unpleasant in my gut. As if it had dropped into a chasm with my innards twisting uncomfortably.

Why did I feel that?

And what did it even mean?

Deciding to ignore the strange feeling, I smiled as Cornelia nodded, feeling extremely happy for her despite the discomfort in my gut. “Oh my gosh, congrats to you both! I’m so happy for you. I’m sure the baby will come out happy and healthy, and will grow up to be a strong and amazing leader like their papa.”

At my words and slowly improving signs, the female chimp smiled warmly at me, lifting her hand and brushing her fingers against my cheek, the contact lasting only a moment before she pulled back to sign.

“Thank you, sweets.”

I couldn’t stop my smile from widening at the nickname she had given me at some point as we got to know each other over the past month, the nickname coming from when I had randomly brought up sweets during one of our talks, telling her that I had sometimes missed the pastries my parents would buy for my family. I had a large family, so they often bought a lot when I was younger, my favorites typically being anything made with peaches. And that knowledge had been eavesdropped on and taken advantage of by-

“Peaches!”

Think of him and he shall appear.

Letting out a playful groan, I rolled my head over to look up at a muddied chimp, his canines exposed in a wide smile as mud dripped from his form and plopped onto the stone below, his arms spread wide open in expectation of a hug.

“Oh, hi Ravi.” I said in a deadpan, trying hard not to break into a smile as I got back to work weaving vines into a basket. Said ape let out a huff, pouting and furrowing his eyebrows at me, bottom lip sticking out as his arms dropped, hanging in front of him like deadweight.

“So mean. I… get back from… hunt and… best friend won’t… hug me.” Hearing the whine in his slightly raspy voice made me bite my bottom lip to stop myself from laughing as I turned my head away so he wouldn’t notice, catching Cornelia’s amused smile while she focused and worked on the blanket. She seemed to have gotten used to our antics and playful bickering over time, and sometimes even found them amusing, to which I was happy for since I preferred to be myself around the chimp I secretly looked to as my unofficial adoptive mother.

“Psh! As if I would hug a chimp covered head to toe in mud! Get yourself cleaned, sunshine, and then we can talk.” I huffed out, shifting in my spot to turn my back towards him, not even bothering to sign to him as I wanted to finish the basket I was creating before dinner.

Although I was improving in my basket weaving, I wished I could be as fast as Cornelia. She was so skilled at it.

Thinking that Ravi had decided to do just that at the sound of his leathery feet softly palming against the stone floor, I didn’t register his footsteps coming closer until it was too late. A cold and sticky body flopped right onto my back, causing me to jump with a choked gasp at the unexpected cold feeling, long, firm arms wrapping around my chest, smothering my clothes, hair, and arms in mud— and a few stray sticks and leaves.

“Ravi! I just washed this shirt!” I hissed out in surprise and slight frustration, trying to wiggle out of his grip, but to no avail. Gosh, these apes were strong.

“Come on! You… didn’t have problem… first day… we met!” The chimp spoke against my ear, as he had rested his chin against my shoulder, making himself comfortable against my back. From the sound of his voice, he sounded amused by my frustration.

Ugh, why did my best friend have to be such a menace at times.

“You know why I wasn’t bothered by getting muddy that day.” I mumbled mostly to myself, but Ravi was too close to hear as his hold on me slackened out of melancholy from my words, to which I impulsively took advantage of and pried his arms away from me, snickering at the surprised hoot I got from him.

“I missed you too Ravi, but now I have to wash up before dinner— because I don’t want to risk eating mud— which might take long enough that I will have to eat after you and the others have already eaten.” My words had meant to be taken sarcastically and as a playful jab at the ape, rotating my chest to face him and to poke his flat nose, but the look of guilt on his face made me pause, his brows furrowed slightly.

Feeling a pang of guilt through my chest, I let out a quiet sigh of disappointment in myself, smiling softly and apologetically towards him as I lifted my hand to place my palm against his cheek, wiping away some of the mud caked onto the spot sticky fur bordered the bare skin of his face.

“Sorry for reacting like that. Sometimes I say things I don’t realize may come off as rude— or may come off as me blaming you for something. I wasn’t trying to make you feel guilty, honest. You know I love your hugs, so even if I do get a little muddy, I still enjoy it. Don’t let my words or spontaneous frustration make you think otherwise, okay? And I’m sure I’ll finish as everyone is getting together to eat, so it’s not a big deal. I just overreacted. It’s okay. I’m not mad at you.” I spoke in a quiet tone, hoping that my words would perk him right up, feeling guilty for making him feel guilty.

Sometimes I wish I was mute. So I wouldn’t accidentally hurt the people I truly care about from what I say without thinking.

Shifting in my crisscrossed position to fully face and focus on him, I continued to wipe mud off the fur framing his face, hoping the brief grooming session would make him relax, and to my relief, it did. Shoulders sagging, he let out soft hoots, sitting himself down to allow me to pick a leaf off of the top of his head, before he smiled a tad sheepishly at me.

“Can… bring food to… you. Like first day.” He proposed, making me smile warmly, glad that he wasn’t taking my previous words to heart.

Gosh, why did I have to open my big fat mouth and make the sweetest and most compassionate chimp I’ve ever met feel ashamed.

“If I don’t make it before everyone finishes eating, I’d really appreciate it, sunshine.” Taking his face into my hands, I pulled him close and placed my forehead against his, both in gratitude and in apology. He gently pushed back, cupping a hand against the back of my neck as the both of us took in a soft breath. I only pulled away once he was ready to, offering him an apologetic smile once again, before pushing myself up onto my feet.

“Okay then, I guess I’ll go and wash up as quick as I can. Sorry Cornelia, I’ll have to finish the basket after dinner. And don’t you start blaming yourself for that, Ravi. I doubted I would’ve finished before then anyways.” I said, pointing at the light-furred chimp with a lighthearted glare, then gave a brief shrug at my last statement, to which a small smile spread across his thin lips, canines just barely peeking out underneath them.

“It is alright. It —— not need — — done today.” She signed with a gentle smile, seeming to have finished repairing the blanket during my talk with Ravi, as her lap was now occupied with a different animal skin blanket.

Nodding my thanks, I left with a wave towards the both of them, speeding off towards the opening to the topmost rock shelf beside the waterfall, where all of the huts and homes that could not fit within the communal walls were scattered along the shelves of the sheer cliffside. But, before I could cross through the threshold, a rough but light grunt sounded from behind, making me stop in an instant as I knew exactly who it was.

“I need to speak… with you… for a moment.” After all this time, Caesar’s pronunciations and vocabulary started to improve, the time we’ve talked on the occasion seeming to have helped in that regard.

Feeling a tad nervous as to what he wanted to talk about, but being too loyal and respectful towards him to find a way to slip away, I turned towards him with an air of meekness, watching as he walked up to me. I still could not get over the fact he was taller than me by five inches. I believe chimps were usually around four feet, or something.

Then again, I could be wrong. Which was a very common occurrence.

“… Yes?” My voice came out too quiet and hesitant for my taste, but Caesar didn’t seem to mind. Instead, his eyes softened from my obvious nerves.

“Don’t worry. You… are not in trouble.” He started in a gentle tone, emerald eyes taking in my tense shoulders relaxing. I was an open book to him. Though, I supposed I kinda was around the other apes too.

“It has been… thirty eight nights. I think… it’s time you go… with the females to… forage tomorrow morning.”

The words he spoke caused my nerves to spike up once again for a different reason, my hand instinctively reaching to the hem of my shirt to grip and pull down, to which Caesar’s eyes trailed down at the motion. His brows furrowed, brilliant emerald green shifting into a slightly darker hue, as if being encased in shadows.

“B-but, I’m not ready. I still h-have so much to learn here. I’m still learning sign. Still learning your history and learning-“

“There are no other humans.”

That clear statement made me pause, staring almost wide-eyed up at him. I had never heard him sound so tender.

“You don’t… have to be scared. You need… to step out and learn… outside the walls. Or you… will not improve.”

Although his next words were spoken in a gentle voice— words rumbling deep in his throat— what he said was a little firm compared to the tender way he previously spoke, making me snap out of my brief awe to tense up slightly.

He knew why I was scared of leaving the safety of the walls.

Of course he knew.

Remaining silent for a good while, Caesar patiently waiting for my response, I lowered my head until some of the long hair tucked behind my ear slipped down to curtain my face, anxiously chewing my bottom lip. “… But… What if I do run into another h-human. I don’t think I would be a-able to…”

To run.

I had a feeling I would freeze on the spot. That my body would refuse to move, to get as far away from the human as possible. I never realized till now, but just the thought of humans made me lock up, my heart hammering in my chest and my mind flashing through all of the pain I had gone through around other humans over the past two years.

“I will tell Ravi… to go with… you. We haven’t seen any… other humans… on our patrols, but… he will keep watch. You will be safe. But, know… there will be a time… Ravi won’t be able… to always keep watch. You will have… to learn not to be… afraid.”

Once again, his tone was gentle, but he also made it clear that I will have to go tomorrow, no matter what I said. It made my gut churn in anxiety, my grip only tightening on the hem of my shirt, hands shaking and heart hammering away in my chest.

But, despite my fear, my anxiety, I did not want to disappoint Caesar.

The ape I owed my life to.

My leader and the one I looked up to.

So, I gave a small nod, head still tilted down as I spoke in a shaky voice. “… O-okay…”

I knew that he was just showing tough love, but gosh dangit, I was really hoping I would never have to step foot out of the colony.

Before I could turn around and drag my feet down to my bathing spot, I felt a warm digit lightly ghost under my chin, almost tenderly, only to slowly push my chin up, my eyes lifting as my head did to look into Caesar’s eyes. The emerald green orbs were truly breathtaking… What the heck was I thinking?! He had a mate! A mate that I saw as my unofficial adoptive mother!

Get a grip, idiot!

“We will keep you safe. The females… will keep you safe. You are not alone… anymore.”

The sound of his voice, so soft and low as if he had purred out the words, made my knees go weak, but his words comforted me greatly as he lifted a hand to carefully tuck my hair behind an ear, closing my eyes when I noticed him starting to lean in. I couldn’t hold back a sigh when his forehead was placed against mine, his hand slipping under my hair to cup the back of my neck, holding me still and with great care.

It had been the first time he had done this since the time in the cave, and, for some reason, this time felt more special. More personal. It caused my heart to race and made my gut feel all fuzzy, filled with butterflies fluttering about. But I tried to bury the feelings.

It wasn’t right.

However, despite knowing that what I was feeling wasn’t right, I couldn’t help but greedily absorb the feeling of his forehead against mine, having wished to do this with him all this time but was too afraid to initiate it. So, I didn’t move until he decided to, enjoying every last bit of the moment, swallowing down the guilt I started to feel as the firm grasp on my feelings started to slacken.

Why did I feel this way? When did this start to happen? How could I stop this from getting worse? How could I feel this way, when he already had a mate? A mate that was so kind, patient, and was like a mother to me…

It had to be because of them… It made sense. They are horrible and greedy creatures… Always wishing for things they didn’t have…

Why was I born a human.

☽✧∙∙✺∙∙✧☽

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