ραяα∂ιsε ғσυη∂
The relief and joy at being home, even if this was not truly home, was nearly overwhelming. After being away for months on the journey with Rocket, Blue Eyes was soaking in every moment of this. His father's embrace, the look of utmost love in his mother's eyes, and the way his little brother shyly avoided eye contact and clung to whichever parent was nearest. All around them, excited chirps of white-tails whose fathers were returning from battle echoed in the cave and the joy was contagious. Despite what had happened just before Blue Eyes' arrival, the apes seemed to be mostly in good spirits. It was nice to return to this, rather than fear and paranoia as he had in the past.
Blue Eyes knew what they had been through in his absence, and thought himself very fortunate to not be there often anymore, so that he did not have to endure it himself. He felt guilty for thinking that way, though, as he stroked Cornelius' head tenderly and smiled to the little chimp to try to coax something out of him.
A hand resting on his shoulder earned a glance to Cornelia, who smiled at her son with a knowing glint in her eye that may have also been a little mischievous, causing Blue Eyes to furrow his brows in slight confusion until she signed to him.
'Look who is here, son.'
She indicated an area a bit deeper into the cave, alongside the waterfall that hid them from view of whatever – or whoever – might lurk outside of it. Blue Eyes turned to look into the direction she had pointed to, intrigued, and with a guess as to who it was that she was so pleased to point out to him.
His eyes fell upon the very ape that he had hoped for, and even now after these few years, his stomach felt fluttery when the other chimpanzee's gaze met his own. He was too happy to be embarrassed as he might have been years ago, even though he knew both parents were likely grinning behind him as he turned to face the ape more properly, and formed a very familiar sign over his heart.
'Ash...'
@caesarwouldntwantthis
