Lake

Lake had just dismissed the rambunctious ape children she had been taking care of all day, teaching them letters and numbers before letting them play their made-up games under her watchful eyes. They couldn't run as freely around as they had done in the old ape village, back when the threat of the forest's predators had been the apes' only concern, and where the surrounding walls had created a natural barrier between them and the wilderness that surrounded them.

Now the colony's border was less clear, with the network of caves here creating a dizzying labyrinth that made it easy for any child to get lost – be it intentional or not.

So, Lake kept vigilant watch over the little ones while their mothers and fathers were out performing their duties to the colony, fighting and foraging to keep the apes alive and well-fed. She much enjoyed spending time with the little rascals, unruly as they could be, though she did wish she could spend more time learning the art of healing from Sparrow, as she had done in the past.

Or spend more time with Blue Eyes, as she had wanted to for so long now.

Lake let out a tired sigh as the last of the little ones found his mother, waving happily back at Lake before he went with his parent – probably to receive an afternoon-grooming.

Ivy had told her that the Ape Prince had no clue of Lake's feelings towards him – Orion had told her so after they had begun becoming an item about a week or so ago. The development between the two younger apes came as no surprise to Lake, who had noticed Orion's lingering stares as well as Ivy's subtle mentions of the young male whenever the two females spoke together. She had told the slighter female that Orion was obviously attracted to her, but Ivy had refused to believe such claims.

Lake suspected it had something to do with other apes telling her that she was too stubborn for her own good – Lake had been confident at least one male would find this trait endearing and had continuously told her younger friend not to try and change for the sake of others. It would only make her miserable in the long run.

In the end, Lake had been right, and she couldn't help feeling just a tiny bit smug about it either. Of course, Orion would be the one who'd come to appreciate Ivy for who she was – given his… heritage, he was probably the most open-minded and accepting young male in all the colony.

Exactly what Ivy needed. It was a perfect match, really.

Now, if only Lake could achieve something similar with Blue Eyes.

After what Orion had told Ivy, Lake had realised the chances that the Ape Prince would make the first move were slim at best. He was busier than ever, he was as clueless as he had always been and adding to all of that, he was leaving for goodness knows how long in just a few weeks!

The young female ape huffed dejectedly at that – no matter how much she disliked the idea of Blue Eyes going out on such a dangerous quest, even she had to admit that it was probably their only hope of regaining peace. The injuries some of the males came home with from time to time now were unlike anything Lake or even Sparrow had had to treat in the past, and the young female could only imagine how horrible it would get once these wounds became a commonplace occurrence.

The apes needed to leave, and who better for Caesar to send than his son and heir?

That didn't mean Lake had to like it, though.

She went to sit down near the roaring waterfall at the edge of the main cave, trying her best to let the sound of the rushing water drown out the concerned thoughts bouncing around in her head. It didn't work too well, in all honesty.

She wrung her hands nervously in her lap as she stared out at the darkening sky through the cave entrance, waiting anxiously for Blue Eyes to return from his duties out in the forest.

Lake had made up her mind to finally come clean to him about her feelings, his fast-approaching departure and Ivy's continued nagging finally having pushed her to do so. She would pull him aside as soon as he came back – at least that was her plan – and she would make him finally see her feelings for what they were. The prospect had her heart flutter in anticipation and her stomach churn with anxiety, but Lake knew she couldn't delay any longer. If he didn't return from his journey with Rocket…

No, she wouldn't think like that. Blue Eyes would return – she had to believe in that. He was Caesar's son, for crying out loud! There was no way he was not coming back.

Cornelius' excited gibbering as he struggled out of Brook's arms a bit off from where Lake sat alerted the young female to the arrival of the elder Ape Prince and his brooding father. Her heart completely melted at the sight of Blue Eyes picking up his baby brother and pressing his forehead to the little ape's before he handed him over to their father for him to do the same.

He would make a good father someday, of that Lake had little doubt.

A faint blush coloured her cheeks as that thought crossed her mind, and she quickly raised herself from the cave floor to approach the young, blue-eyed chimp. The inside of her gut felt like it was being tickled with a thousand little feathers and her heart pounded against her ribs as she made her way over to him, catching his sky-coloured eyes when she was close enough for the sound of her feminine hoots to be heard over the thundering waterfall just beside him.

He smiled softly at her as she came over, and Lake's heart did a somersault inside her chest as his gaze brightened at seeing her.

"Hello, Lake!" He signed casually, like he always did to everyone. Then, he got a mischievous glint in his pale eyes. "Come to welcome me back like Cornelius?"

She rolled her eyes at his joke, huffing out a pant-laugh as he spread his arms out towards her like he had done to the ape child as he had sprung into his grasp.

If only he knew how much she actually wanted to do that, silly as the sentiment might have been. She would never jump into his arms like an over-excited child, and certainly not in a brotherly fashion – but she did want to feel those strong arms of his around her all the same.

Maybe, after she had confessed, that would actually happen?

Right, she thought, get back to the task at hand, Lake.

"Very funny, Blue Eyes… Listen, can we talk?" She signed gracefully, doing her very best to convey that she wanted their conversation to be a private one, jerking her head towards the exit of the cave and casting her eyes in that direction in a very pointed manner.

"Of course. Is something wrong?" He signed back, not moving an inch from where he stood – how could the son of Caesar be this dense?

Lake didn't answer, choosing instead to grab him gently by the wrist and pull him along. She noticed Ivy out of the corner of her eye, winking knowingly at her before they had made their way out of the main cave of the colony. It made Lake's ears feel hot as she pulled the poor prince along, the young ape male in question grunting confusedly at his friend's odd behaviour.

A few of the returning males shot odd looks at them as Lake dragged Blue Eyes along, searching for a more private setting to have this conversation – courtship was a tricky thing, even among apes, and Lake was certain Blue Eyes wouldn't appreciate any witnesses when it was him being courted by a female – the teasing would never cease for either of them if that were the case.

But if he was too preoccupied and clueless to make a move, then Lake had no other choice at this point – it would only be a couple of weeks until he would leave with Rocket.

He huffed in annoyance the further away she dragged him but didn't move to pull his arm out of her grasp. She took that as a good sign.

Lake had pulled Blue Eyes down to the river by the time she decided to stop and finally explain herself and she halted her steps abruptly to turn around and face the frowning Ape Prince.

"Lake, what is this about? Why are we here?" He signed in a perplexed manner, a hint of irritation on his face.

Lake understood that this might be inconvenient for him. He had been out in the forest, seeing to his duties since before the sun had properly risen and the morning dew had still coated the green forest with heavy droplets of moist. Now it was nearly twilight and he probably wanted nothing more than to be back in the warm caves, wolfing down a well-deserved meal together with his father and brother before settling down in his nest for a good night's sleep.

Thinking about it now, Lake actually felt sorry for dragging him all the way out here to talk.

It couldn't be helped though – if she didn't do this now, she might not be able to gather her courage again before he left.

It was now or never.

"Blue Eyes…" She signed his name hesitantly, shuffling her feet and disturbing the surface of the stony riverbank. How to word this? How to explain it so her intentions were clear?

Something about the way she stood there in front of him must have triggered the Ape Prince's concern, because he reached forward after a short while of silence, a soft line between his brow ridges and a gentle frown on his face. His hand was large and comforting on her arm, and quite unexpectedly, it provided Lake with that little extra courage she needed to finally just get on with it.

"I have feelings for you, Blue Eyes." She signed at last, staring straight into his sky-blue orbs with all the intensity she could muster.

His nose wrinkled and his eyes were clouded with uncertainty at her words – almost as if he didn't quite understand.

Which he didn't, as it turned out.

"I have feelings for you too, Lake. You are a good friend. For a long time, now."

Goodness help her!

"No, no… You do not understand…" She sighed before biting her bottom lip with her blunt teeth and lowering her gaze to the rocky ground beneath their feet.

"I mean strong feelings, Blue Eyes… Like… Like Tinker has for Rocket, or Lydia had for Roy… Like your mother had for your father."

That seemed to do the trick as Blue Eyes' expression instantly changed once she finished signing, though Lake desperately hoped she hadn't overstepped some invisible line with the mention of his mother – she knew it was still a tender subject for him, even when talking with dear friends.

A brief look of sorrow overtook his features, which almost had Lake's heart fill with dread and make her sign a jagged apology with her shaky, delicate hands.

Then, as quickly as it had appeared, it melted away from his features as Blue Eyes processed her words and the meaning behind them, and his eyes widened in surprise as his posture straightened once more.

"You… Lake, you mean as a…?" He seemed truly startled at what he was beginning to piece together – not that there was much of a puzzle to it, really, but at least he wasn't outright rejecting her now that he was beginning to understand her meaning…

Well, not yet, that is…

Even if Ivy had told her about what Orion had said – how he believed Blue Eyes could return her feelings if only he was made aware of them, Lake still had her doubts. She saw less and less of him these days, and though she knew he was busy helping his father and making sure the colony was safe, she couldn't help but feel that he was slipping away from her.

She nodded all the same, reaching up to close her arms around herself in a protective, shy manner.

"As more than a friend… As a… mate." He finished his signed words, still a look of bafflement present on his smooth face.

They both stood completely still for a while, the sound of the rushing river nearby the only thing truly confirming to both of them that time hadn't in fact completely stopped.

"This is… sudden." He finally responded, his features softening as he saw her lips press into a thin line. Lake expected this to be the beginning of a gentle rejection and did her best to hold back her tears, already thinking to herself that she should never have done this in the first place.

Until Blue Eyes' hand came up to rest against the side of her face, tenderly urging her to look up at him once more.

He wore a smile across his features which tightened the scar on his right cheek, and his eyes were brighter than Lake had ever seen them before.

He hadn't looked this happy in months.

"But not unwelcome… I… I return those feelings, Lake…" His fingers went up to wipe a stray tear from her cheek, guilt suddenly present in his gaze. "I am sorry. I didn't want to make you cry."

Lake's heart was so flooded with emotions that she couldn't reply at first, merely staring at the Ape Prince in teary-eyed surprise and relief as he wiped her tears away.

Then she shook her head at him, a soft smile finally finding its way to her lips.

"I thought you saw me as only a friend. I thought you were not interested in anyone at all." She told him, finally dropping her arms from their protective position around herself to sign again.

He huffed a soft laugh as a sheepish look appeared on his face.

"I have not had much time to think of that… But you are always there. Always being a good friend and always calming me." He replied sincerely, scratching his chest absent-mindedly. "I know that I have not… shown it much, and I am sorry for that. I should have… But I have noticed you, Lake… How you are always kind and helpful. How you smile at me… You have a beautiful smile."

He seemed embarrassed as he said this, shifting his weight from one foot to the other ever so often and retracting his hand from her now dry face.

Lake could feel how her heart soared at his confession. He had noticed! And he returned her feelings!

The young female chimp was so happy she thought her chest would burst and just like that, she could not bring herself to regret having approached the Ape Prince as she had only moments ago.

When he didn't say anything further, just stood there awkwardly and with a growing blush dusting his pale cheeks, Lake decided to take another chance and reach forward to gently grasp his hand with her own, smaller one. It was a tentative, experimental move meant to break him out of his shy reverie – and it worked flawlessly.

His gaze lifted once again as he stared at her in surprise before looking down at their connected hands, a soft smile spreading across his face as he returned the hold with a firm squeeze of his own.

Lake felt a sweet tingle within her chest and not even the waning light on the sky above them could darken the brightness of the smile she flashed at the Ape Prince.

She honestly didn't think she could get any happier.

That is, until a sudden surge of confidence and affection seemed to wash over Blue Eyes' features and the young male leaned forward, softly placing his forehead against Lake's own.

She drew in a sharp breath, pleasantly surprised at the intimate, and quite significant gesture. It was something only reserved for family members and dear, dear friends, and while Lake knew she and Blue Eyes had been the latter for almost their entire lives, he had never done this with her before.

It made her giddy with excitement and her heart swell with immeasurable love for the Ape Prince

"Thank. You. Lake…" Came his raspy voice, and Lake almost, almost did a double take at the sound – it was extremely rare that he spoke, and she had only ever heard it a couple of times when they had practised it in Maurice's classes as older children.

The fact that he bothered to do it now, in this moment and with such obvious affection colouring his words only made it all the clearer to Lake that he really meant what he had said. All of it.

They both closed their eyes and took a short while to just enjoy the moment. The peace, the relief, the sense of belonging…

She could have stayed like that with him forever – it was more than she had ever dared hope for when she had first dragged him down here so unceremoniously. But they both needed to get back to the colony before the pitch-black night would take them by surprise and have them stumbling their way back through the forest. There were no torches out here to lead them back, after all.

Blue Eyes was the one to draw back, albeit reluctantly, but still with that wonderfully broad and sincere smile on his face as he signed to her.

"We should get home."

And so they did – hand in hand through the darkening forest, ever so often casting a shy glance towards each other as they made their way back to the colony.


Orion

Later that evening, as everyone was preparing for sleep in their warm nest, surrounded by their loved ones, Orion sat alone in the main cave, watching as Caesar, Blue Eyes and little Cornelius prepared for sleep a little way off. He knew he should probably get going and find his own part of the cave, where Mother would most likely be preparing their nest by now. But he was so deeply engrossed in his own thoughts that even though he saw how everyone dispersed to their own little hovels, his mind did not truly register it.

Not until a familiar, gentle voice brought him back to the present.

"You coming to bed too, Sweetheart?" Mother asked him with a tender smile on her face, her brows arched upwards in an inquisitive manner.

She was standing a few feet to his right, her arms wrapped tightly around herself as she was clad only in the thin, faded-blue top she sometimes wore and one of her pairs of deerskin pants. She didn't even have her boots on her feet!

Just looking at her like that made Orion feel cold himself, and he immediately nodded as he got up and went over to lay a long arm around his mother's slighter form.

He didn't notice Caesar's lingering stare at the two of them, or Cornelius' excited gibbering as he spotted Mother's retreating form – but he could feel Blue Eyes looking at the back of his head. Feel how those sky-blue orbs drilled worriedly, hopefully through his skull.

Orion was only all too aware of why that was.

The Ape Prince had asked the younger male to come with him on the journey to find a new, safe home for the apes a few days ago, just after the evening meal, when Alex and his parents had gone to bed and it had only been the two of them sitting in a corner, talking.

At first Orion hadn't known what to say or even what expression to make as the Ape Prince signed his words, telling Orion how he wanted him to come along and guard his way as his right-hand warrior. A brother-in-arms as they made their way through the land, so to speak.

The younger male had been thoroughly surprised at his friend's request, his eyes wide and mouth gaping at his childhood friend once the words had been uttered – or signed, as it were. Blue Eyes had taken it in stride, waiting patiently, albeit amusedly for an answer as Orion had gone over it in his head.

"Sweetie…? Orion? Hey! Where are you off to, Son?" Mother's voice sounded, thoroughly baffled as she stood with her head tilted by the entrance to their own little part of the cave, the entrance covered by two large deerskins for added privacy.

Seems like he had been so lost in his own thoughts that he hadn't realised that they were already there, walking on even after she had stopped… Dammit, she was probably worried now…

"Oh! Yes, sorry, Mother…" He was quick to say, hurrying back towards her as she pulled the deerskin away to reveal their little hovel, the dogs already sleeping soundly beside the nest Mother had prepared.

They both entered and sat down in the nest, Mother in a graceful manner, while Orion simply plumped down amongst the furs with a soft sigh. The moment his eyes strayed back to his mother, however, he shivered, seeing that she had still not covered herself to get warm.

"Here, Mother. Take this." He spoke gently as he reached over and grabbed one of the thicker skins they had, wrapping it around her shoulders firmly before he reached for another one and laid it over her legs, which were now in a cross-legged position as she sat. That ought to keep her feet warm,

"Thanks, Sweetie… Tell me, where's your head at this evening, huh? You seem… distracted." Mother spoke curiously, her nose scrunching up at the last word – it would seem she lacked something better to describe it with. Then, she got a mischievous gleam in her eyes and she smiled teasingly at the young ape male.

"It isn't Ivy that's got you so far off again now, is it? No trouble in paradise, I hope?"

Despite his current state of mind, Orion panted out a short laugh at his mother's words, a fond smile briefly gracing his features. The news of the two young apes finally getting together had been the latest, juicy gossiping-topic throughout the colony this past week and of course, Mother was thrilled – especially when she had found out that he had taken her up on the advice on learning how to weave from Ivy. That had made her quite smug, in fact.

Orion shook his head and the smile soon disappeared from his features as he returned to the topic at hand.

"No… No, all is fine with Ivy." The adolescent ape spoke, looking down and twiddling his thumbs in his lap as he thought about what to say. It had weighed heavily on his mind ever since the Ape Prince had made the request and Orion had told him that he would have to think a bit on it. That he had to discuss it with his mother first… Which he still hadn't done.

In the end, though, he knew he would have to. Blue Eyes' lingering stares were like a buzzing fly around one's ears – distracting and persistent – and besides, what better time to tell Mother than now, when she had inquired anyway?

So, he told her, in the simplest way he could.

"It is about Blue Eyes… He asked me. To come with him. On his journey with Rocket."

Orion thought Mother would be shocked by this – he certainly had been.

However, she only pursed her lips gently and nodded, almost as if it was inevitable that Blue Eyes would do this, and pulled the furs tighter around her shoulders as she answered.

"About time he did. They're supposed to leave in two weeks from now, after all."

Orion's eyes widened at that.

"You knew?" He couldn't help the slight indignation in his voice. How was it she already knew?

She was quick to answer, a soft look on her face as she regarded the young ape.

"Well, of course I did. Caesar and I talked about it the day they came up with the idea. He thought Blue Eyes might ask you. I honestly expected him to do it on the same day."

Ah, that makes sense, Orion thought, feeling sheepish at his initial reaction. The Ape King had always valued Mother's council highly, always asking her discreetly for advice if he thought her expertise might benefit the colony – even if she wasn't on the Ape Council herself.

It should come as no surprise to Orion that they would also have discussed this matter – though the young ape was still slightly disgruntled by the fact that Mother had not mentioned that Blue Eyes might approach him about it.

Then again, perhaps it was because she didn't want to meddle? That would be very much like her indeed.

The worry that Orion nurtured still hadn't been quelled by this knowledge, however, and he gently chewed on the inside of his cheek before speaking again.

"… And? What do you think?" He asked slowly, studying Mother's features very carefully for any signs of sadness, anger or regret.

He found only puzzlement.

"What do I think? Sweetie, it's hardly a matter of what I think. If you want to go, then go. If you don't, then don't. It's rather simple." Mother shrugged, lifting a slender brow at Orion in what almost seemed like amusement. He honestly couldn't see what could be funny about this.

"But what of you, Mother?" He asked in a frustrated manner, brows knitted together in apprehension.

"What do you mean 'what of me'?" Mother tilted her head in that particular way of hers, her loose hair falling down from her fur-clad shoulder. "I have to stay here and help Caesar and the colony."

The young male ape shook his head at her. She didn't understand.

"What I mean is… Will you not be… Lonely?" Orion ventured carefully, eyeing her with gentle, green eyes. "No one to be near. To talk to or to hold."

He knew his mother to be a strong woman with a sharp mind and an even sharper tongue, plus the physical capability to take care of herself – but he wasn't worried about that.

No… Orion worried for her mental well-being. How she would cope with his absence, being all alone at night with no one there to soothe her and keep her warm.

He remembered their talk right after Father's funeral all too vividly.

She had described how lonely and miserable she had been when she was alone on the road, in those five long months before she had found him and Father at that awful place where his birthmother had been killed.

Alone with her thoughts. Crying every night before sleep, and every morning before getting up…

He didn't want her to feel like that ever again. Nobody he loved would ever feel like that if he could help it.

Mother sighed deeply.

"And how different would it be once you're old enough to make your own home with Ivy? Or do you expect to bring me into the nest too? Because I might as well tell you now, I'm not really up for that."

Well, she did have a point there. Once Orion would be old enough to take a mate, preferably Ivy, he would no longer be sharing a nest with his mother, but with his mate. From then on, Mother would be all alone in a nest of her own, just as she would be if Orion decided to go with Blue Eyes in two weeks' time – it was only a matter of when, really.

The little attempt at a joke wasn't lost on Orion, however, and he breathed a mixture between a sigh and a low, huffing laugh at Mother's words.

He didn't get to answer before she began talking again, a more serious, though still fond tone in her voice.

"In all honesty, Sweetie, I appreciate your consideration, I really do… But you're almost a grown-up by now and I don't want to limit you in such a way."

The adolescent chimp shook his head yet again.

"I just want you. To be okay, Mother." Orion spoke as he laid a hand over her own, a torn look on his face. "Had Father still been here. I would not hesitate… But he is not… And he told me. To take care of you."

He had taken that very seriously ever since his father had spoken those words to him and knew that he could not keep his promise if he was miles away from her. What if something happened? What if Mother would get sad again, as she had been back when she was all alone? What if she stopped eating? What if she overworked herself and got sick, with no one to stop her from doing so?

It was such worries that had kept Orion from giving a definitive answer to Blue Eyes' request, even though he had been honoured that his friend wanted him to come along and guard his way.

He wanted to go. He wanted to be with his friend and see the world with him and Rocket. Go on this adventure and experience what was out there – the prospect had been tantalizing and yet, he couldn't make himself promise anything to his childhood friend.

His mother came first. Always.

Though it would seem Mother was having none of that.

"And I'm telling you now that you don't have to, Sweetie. It's not just you and me here. I've got Caesar, Maurice, Tinker, Brook and everyone else here to rely on. It's not all on you, Orion."

The young ape male's lips stretched into a thin line on his face as he stared down at his Mother's slender, pale hands, so perfectly encased within his own – shielded by the cold of the cave as Orion himself wished to shield her from loneliness.

She snuck one such hand out of his gentle hold and placed it on his cheek, forcing him to raise his head and look into her deep, blue gaze. The eyes he had found refuge and reassurance in ever since he was old enough to remember feeling scared or uncertain of anything. They stared into his own, verdant orbs now, as tenderly as when he had been a toddler, and her calm, gentle voice sounded.

"Orion, there will be times in life when you will have to make your own way. Find your own path and travel down that, wherever it may take you, and I won't always be able follow you, no matter how much I wish I could." She quirked a soft smile which Orion knew was meant to lighten the mood.

"But I will always be waiting for you when our paths connect again, Sweetheart, however long it may take. I promise you that…"

Orion nodded, eyes glossy with unshed tears at his mother's promise. She brushed his cheek with her thumb.

"I'm needed here now, and it seems like Blue Eyes thinks he will need you on this journey of his… Now, tell me, do you truly want to go with him?"

Orion searched his heart, as he had done so many times since the Ape Prince had asked him to come along on this mission of his. It had been a wasted effort every time Orion had done it, but now, when he had heard his mother's words… Her promise…

Orion nodded his head.

"Yes. I want to go. With Blue Eyes and Rocket."

Mother smiled proudly at him, a warm, soft look spreading across her face, enhanced by the light from the torches fixed to the cave wall.

"Well, then that's what you have to do, Son."

She pulled his head towards her own then, letting their foreheads touch in the familiar gesture the apes used with those who were closest to them, and they both sighed softly as they closed their eyes.

Orion's heart was calm now, his mind set and his eyes dry of the tears he hadn't gotten the time to shed before Mother had managed to soothe him. He knew what to do now, and he knew that though his mother might not be there to guide him, he didn't have to worry. She would be alright with everyone here taking care of her in his place.

And she would be there when their paths met again – she had promised so herself.

And it was this promise that Orion held close to his heart as he fell asleep that night, his hand closed around Mother's as always.