The nightmare weighed heavily on Blue Eyes' mind, and like a balloon attached to a heavy stone, it held him down and prevented him from thinking about anything else. He couldn't go back to sleep that night and simply watched the night and stars fade. After a long while, when the sky was turning pink and orange with the incoming dawn, his father 'woke him' to get ready. The apes showed their strength and mass numbers at the human colony, easily intimidating those who dwelled within. Hopefully they would abide by his father's warning, but Blue Eyes worried they would attack the apes anyway. Now that the young ape had this to worry about, alongside his nightmare, he'd been stressed and fretting all day. It was only later, when he was rolling around with Ash inside the speckled chimp's hut, that he found some sort of comforting relief.

Two weeks had passed since they'd been alone together, and they were taking full advantage of it. Rocket was there when Blue Eyes arrived but, thankfully, left soon after and allowed the young chimps to get down to business. The separation proved extremely difficult for the two lovers, so much that Ash, while he was dragging Blue Eyes towards the nest, had suggested sneaking out to sate their intense desires. That would come later. Right now, both were simply content to be near each other and show affection in private.

Blue Eyes thought they should be paying a bit more attention in case Rocket or Tinker walked in. Unlikely since Tinker was watching over a still recovering Cornelia (yet another worry plaguing his mind), while Rocket performed other duties within the colony. However, it could happen, and just the thought of it alone was usually enough to send the young prince's heart racing. But right now, with his mate's warm body on top of his own, concentrating on their surroundings was a far distant priority. A part of him realized how exposed they were right now, gripping each other and kissing in full view of whoever came inside, but he paid it no mind. Instead he tightened his grip on Ash's waist and let his fingers dig into the grey fur, pressing into the hard muscle underneath and massaging gently. Ash's body shivered with delight at the touch, pulling back with a soft sigh and panting against his mouth before kissing the prince again. Blue Eyes eagerly responded, opening his mouth and stroking Ash's tongue with his own while his mate deepened the kiss and pressed him further into the dark, furry pelts beneath them.

Originally neither had thought it wise to do this right now, but after so long without any physical contact, they ended up making out in front of the nest until Ash forced Blue Eyes down. The prince didn't fight and allowed his mate to do as he wished, situating themselves before deepening their embrace. Starting out in the middle but soon rolling from one side to the other, they constantly changed positions and stroked each other's bodies with rough, calloused hands. Finally they settled near the edge of the nest and slowed their pace, becoming more soft and gentle as they kissed. They broke apart and touched foreheads after some time, breathing slightly labored from the intense session. Now, a little more level headed than when they started, Ash rolled off Blue Eyes and laid his head on the prince's shoulder instead, staring right into his sapphire eyes. Blue Eyes smiled warmly at his mate and rested his forehead against the top of Ash's skull, losing himself in sparkling emerald eyes. The moment was peaceful, both apes relaxing and enjoying each other's warmth until Ash's soft, warm smile disappeared.

"Did you sleep last night? You look tired," he signed, head tilted curiously. "Is everything alright?"

"I'm fine," Blue Eyes replied internally grimacing while thinking of the nightmare. "I just didn't sleep very much last night."

"Why not?" Now Ash smiled again, a teasing gleam in his eyes. "Were you thinking about me?"

"Yes. But not in a good way," he responded with a tired, worried sigh.

"What do you mean?" Ash asked, suddenly serious because of the prince's tone.

With no other option, Blue Eyes told him about the dream. Ash listened intently, nuzzling his dark furred neck affectionately once he'd finished. The contact instantly calmed the frazzled prince, the heat from Ash's breath causing him to sigh in pleasure. He tilted his head back, inviting Ash to continue rubbing against him, but the grey chimpanzee backed away instead. Blue Eyes whined in protest and tried hooking his fingers around his lover's waist, but Ash pressed him more firmly into the nest and hovered over him.

"There's no need to worry, Blue Eyes," he signed once his mate was still, hoping to comfort him with soothing words and a gentle smile. "Nothing is going to happen to me. You'll see."

Blue Eyes angled his head, still unconvinced. "Are you sure, Ash? What about the humans?"

"We warned them today. They won't threaten us again."

"You think they'll listen? Koba says humans are evil and greedy."

Ash cocked his head slightly, contemplating. "I've heard Koba's stories, too. And I believe them," he admitted. "But the one who shot me didn't look evil. Just scared."

Blue Eyes blinked. The very idea threw him for a loop. "How could they be scared!? We didn't do anything! He just pulled that gun out and shot you!" The prince's cyan eyes glanced towards Ash's shoulder, the gunshot wound still an angry, bright red that stood out painfully against his mate's dark skin. He knew the attack was unnecessary, and it made his blood boil just looking at it.

Ash sighed. "I don't know, Blue Eyes. Maybe he thought we would do something."

The prince's eyes narrowed. He was starting to get angry now. "Don't defend him. He had no right to hurt you-And don't say it doesn't hurt," he hurriedly continued when Ash started to protest. "You almost cried when I touched it earlier." And Blue Eyes was being gentle. Even Rocket gave them a concerned look before heading off and leaving them alone. The wound had to be quite painful.

"I bet it doesn't hurt any more than your wounds do," Ash retorted, eyes narrowing in defense. The prince growled slightly at the reminder, and Ash backed off immediately. He knew he'd hit a sensitive nerve and quickly apologized. Blue Eyes grunted but nodded in acceptance. An awkward moment paused before the speckled chimp continued the conversation."How are they?"

"Fine. Still painful, but not too bad," he answered bluntly. Blue Eyes was eager to talk about something else. Thinking about his injuries reminded him of his failed hunt, the humiliation because of his actions and the anger at his father creating an unpleasant emotion that swelled in the young ape's chest. He glanced away from Ash momentarily and stared at the wall to their left, not wanting his mate to see the discomfort on his face. He studied the many hunting trophies Rocket displayed, pelts from prized bucks, elk, and mountain lions decorating the side of the hut. The sight only increased the bitter feeling.

Ash allowed him to stare for a short time, but regained his attention with a gentle hoot. "Good. I'm glad to hear that." He started to say more, but paused before he could finish the first sign. He seemed unsure about something and stayed silent until Blue Eyes pressed him to speak. Finally, he admitted, "They're attracting a lot of attention."

Blue Eyes stared at him, clearly confused. "From who?"

"Females. Mostly Lake."

Blue Eyes sighed in exasperation. "Ash-" he started.

"I know," He interrupted. "We've been over this. But it still bothers me."

"Why? I already told you that I don't want Lake or any other female. I want you."

Ash smiled. "I know. But I still don't like it."

Blue Eyes huffed slightly. "I don't want females eyeing you, either, but what are we supposed to do?"

Ash didn't answer and Blue Eyes didn't expect him to. Both of them knew they couldn't do anything about it; not if they wanted to keep their relationship a secret. Sure, neither would be expected -or allowed- to actually take a mate until they were a few years older, but many decided on their future spouses before then. Usually everyone knew who was going with who around a year or two before an announcement of a wedding ceremony went out.

"We can't keep hiding forever," Blue Eyes finally continued after a short period of silence. "We can't turn every female that approaches us away."

Ash nodded. "I know. Our parents will suspect something." Then he shook his head, as if he couldn't believe what he was going to say next. "Father's been talking to me about females lately. Giving me advice and telling me what to look for in a good mate." Blue Eyes swallowed hard, uncomfortable once again but for a different reason. Caesar hadn't talked with him about that yet, but he would soon. And it would be difficult to sit there and listen to his father while knowing he'd already decided on his former best friend as a mate. "But we have to come out eventually," Ash continued. "I can't be with anyone else."

"I know, Ash. Me too." He quit signing for a moment before he let out a heavy, decisive sigh. "When worry about the humans is mostly behind us, I think we should tell our parents."

Ash's emerald eyes widened in alarm. "That quickly!? Are you sure?"

"I know you're scared, Ash. But if we wait too long, it'll make everything worse." Blue Eyes broke off, thinking about Lake as he finished signing. After Ash pointed it out a few months ago, the young female's infatuation with him became obvious. He felt guilty every time he noticed her watching him when she thought he wasn't looking. He saw the affection in her eyes, yet he knew he would never return it.

Ash hooted gently, breaking his train of thought. As he stared at his mate, he noticed those leafy eyes seemed regretful too. Ash was thinking of his own female suitors, and he smiled at Blue Eyes with an understanding look on his speckled face. They both felt guilty, like they were leading those females on. Ash let out a defeated sigh and nodded to Blue Eyes, telling him that he accepted his proposal to come out before kissing him again. The young prince forgot about Lake immediately, forcing himself to focus on Ash as he flipped their positions and stroked his mate's lips and tongue with his own. Both were under a lot of stress right now, and they wanted to spend whatever time they had left in each other's arms.

If only they knew what was coming, they'd have enjoyed their last meeting later that night even more. They would've made sure to vividly remember every single moment, to the time they met outside the gate and walked hand in hand to Blue Eyes' cave, to when they called out each other's names in ecstasy during the passionate mating session that followed. Each other's mouths and tongues, their musky scent, and their warmth; the two would've made it all last. And whether it was sex, kissing, or just being in each other's presence, they would have made everything count.

If only they'd known they might be torn apart