The next chapter is posted! Enjoy :)
Noelle awoke to the sounds of birds chirping above and the soft sounds of the waterfall behind them.
She also noted that Galen still had one of his arms wrapped around her, holding her close and she was still pressed against his front. She couldn't recall the last time she felt this comfortable.
Noelle wasn't sure if Galen was awake just yet. She didn't want to move and end up waking him.
Then she felt a hand gently run down the back of her head through her long, dark locks. Afterwards she felt lips pressing into the top of her head in a soft kiss. This brought a small smile to her face.
"Good morning." Galen said.
"Morning. How did you know I was awake though?" Noelle asks.
"Felt you move around a little. I woke up a little before you did." He replied.
She pulled back a little and looked up at his face.
He looked down at her with a soft smile.
"How'd you sleep?" Galen asked.
"Very well. You?" Noelle asks.
His smile widened a little more.
"As well as anyone would when they are sleeping next to a very beautiful female." Was his reply.
"So, I'll take that as a yes then?" She teased.
He reached up and lightly cupped her cheek.
"I think this might give you a better answer." He said.
Then he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.
Noelle let out a small sigh and kissed him back. Just like the night before, her whole being felt like it was lit up as her heart pounded in her chest.
Galen deepened the kiss when he felt a spark of electricity shoot down his spine, making his heart race.
He parted his lips and felt her slip her tongue in his mouth to caress his. A small grunt let him as their tongues battled for dominance as they shared the intimate kiss.
At some pointed he shifted slightly on top of Noelle as her arms snaked around his neck, pulling him in closer.
A small, muffled moan left her as they continued making out, and it was getting more heated by the minute, the longer they kept sharing the kiss. She tilted her head back a little more as she continued to plunge her tongue into his mouth.
The pair started to feel a little lightheaded as they continued. Until they had to pull back several seconds later to catch their breath.
Both of them were huffing and puffing like they just ran a marathon. But they never took their eyes off of each other. It still amazes them that they feel like this when they share a kiss.
It was something neither of them ever felt in their entire life while they were with another partner.
Nor has it ever felt so right. Despite the fact that they were different, it didn't seem to matter. They just felt right for each other. It had them wondering, if this is what love feels like.
Though a part of them believed it had to be.
It's strange, they haven't known each other all that long. But that instant connection was just there from the start. Something that continued to build up rather quickly the more time spent in each other's company.
"I think I do like that answer better." Noelle finally got out when she got her breathing back under control.
Galen let out a soft chuckle.
"Figured you would. I certainly liked it much better myself." He said.
"Can't say I'm surprised." She teased.
"Well, we are awfully sassy this morning, aren't we, Butterfly?" He teased back.
"Could say the same about you." Noelle countered.
Galen just smirked, then he dropped onto his back, and rolled her on top of him, so now she was above him.
This drew a brief little laugh out of her as she now laid on top of him, looking down at him from her position. He certainly seemed to be in a rather playful mood this morning.
"Someone seems awfully playful this morning." She says, with some laughter in her voice.
"Nope, this is just part of my morning routine." He joked.
Noelle arched an eyebrow, but the smile still has yet to leave her face.
"Really? Since when is kissing me like no tomorrow and then rolling me to lay on top of you part of your morning routine?" She joked.
Galen smirked up at her, "Since now."
Then he leaned up and pressed his lips to hers once more, capturing her in another kiss.
Noelle's heart skipped a beat, as she smiled into the kiss and deepened it. She felt his lips part and his tongue started probing hers for entrance. She parted hers to allow him access.
The kiss started out slow and sensual like before. Then as they continued, it became more heated.
Their hands started to wander a little as they caressed one another. Then about halfway through the kiss, Galen gently rolled them again, this time, he was on top.
Despite being in a haze from the passionate kiss, he still knew enough to keep himself supported up on his elbows, so not to put his full weight on the petite woman beneath him.
They pulled back again for some air. Galen pressed his forehead to hers as they caught their breath again.
There was just no other way to put it. This was love. There was just no other way it could be anything else. He loved her, despite the short time knowing her.
It was like what his mother once told him long ago. You just know it when you find it.
Noelle was beautiful, smart, headstrong, and witty. The only female he knew that could be just as much of a smartass as him and throw jokes and retorts right back at him when he dishes them out.
Unbeknownst to him, Noelle was feeling the same.
Galen was the one who kept her safe, secure, and sane during this whole journey. He's the reason why she hasn't withdrawn into herself and become depressed and hopeless when she realized there was no way back home.
He always made her smile and laugh and was so sweet to her. Plus, she cannot forget all the times he risked his life for her. Nor the fact that even though he wasn't human, she found him to be rather handsome in cute.
Noelle reached up and lightly cupped his cheek, brushing her thumb over it.
He closed his eyes and pressed the side of his face into her palm. A small smile appeared on his face as he enjoyed the soft caresses and before he could stop himself, the words left his mouth.
"I love you, Noelle." Galen said, barely above a whisper.
His eyes snapped open and widened when he realized he said it aloud.
Noelle seemed a little surprised at first. Then a smile appeared on her face.
"I love you too, Galen." She replied.
His heart leapt when he heard those words coming from her.
Galen couldn't help but firmly press his lips against hers once more in a loving kiss. He felt her smile into it and return the kiss with a small gasp. Then a faint moan left her as his tongue delved into her mouth to caress hers.
The shared kisses were powerful and quite addicting. Like they were made for each other.
They must've laid there another couple minutes just making out, before pulling back again. When they finally did, it felt like they took each other's breath away again.
"So, I take it this means I'm even more entitled to drive you even more crazy than I already have been?" Noelle teases.
Galen chuckled, "I wouldn't put it pass you. But then, I'll just have to continue finding ways to drive you crazy back."
"Good luck with that." She joked.
He leaned in close to her once more with a smirk.
"Don't need luck." Galen says, then presses his lips to hers in a small peck.
"You sure about that?" Noelle asks, with a small smirk.
He arches an eye ridge, then leans in even closer.
"Is that a challenge, Butterfly?" He purrs, as he presses a small kiss to the side of her neck.
Galen smirked when he heard her breath hitch as he did this, before pulling back to gaze down at her again.
"Maybe." Noelle says, then presses a kiss to where his neck meets the bottom of his chin.
A sharp intake of air leaves him when her soft lips press against the sensitive spot.
She pulls back and grins up at him.
"Before we can start this challenge though, I want to take a bath in the waterfall behind us. Would like to wash off some of the dirt and sweat from yesterday." Noelle says.
"Oh, is that what that funny smell is?" Galen teased.
He let out a tiny yelp as she reached up and flicked his ear.
"You're one to talk. I'm not the only one that needs a bath. You may as well take advantage of it while we are here at this waterfall too." She stated.
A wide grin suddenly pops up on his face.
"Is that an invitation?" He asks, with a wink.
Noelle chuckled, at his flirtatious question.
"Like I said before, someone is awfully playful this morning." She said, with laughter in her voice.
"Only for you." He says, then leans in and places a soft kiss on her forehead, before sitting up.
Then he reaches out his hand to help Noelle sit up.
"Shall I pull out some food for breakfast? Or you taking a bath first?" He asks.
She thought about it, she felt a little gross though and rather wash off first and put on some fresh clothes.
"Think I'll take that bath first. You can eat while you wait for me though." Noelle says.
Galen shrugs, "It's fine, I'll wait for you."
He pauses, then smirks at her again.
"Can I at least watch this time?" He adds.
Galen let out a surprised yelp when something hit his face, covering it.
He scrambled a little to take off the blanket she threw at his face. When he finally pulled it off, he saw her standing up with her arms crossed, and grinning at him.
"Sorry, you may have to just use your imagination this time. Otherwise, it may cause you issues below the waist again if you do watch." Noelle teased.
Her grin widened, when she saw his cheeks redden as he awkwardly coughs into his closed fist.
"Right then, take your time." He blurted out.
She chuckles, then turns around, squats back down and starts going into her pack again.
Noelle rifles through it until she pulls out a fresh pair of clothes. Then she grabs the cloth that the soap bar she has been using was wrapped in and unwraps it and takes it out. Then grabs the tiny bottle of scented oil for her hair.
Lastly, she pulls out this small thin blanket she got in town the other day to use as a towel to dry herself off when she gets out of the water.
Afterwards, she stands back up and heads for the rocks that are bordering the waterfall about ten feet away. She stops before the long curtain of branches hanging down from the large weeping willow in front of her, then looks briefly over her shoulder.
"Don't have too much fun without me now while here under this tree and out of sight." She teases.
It took a moment, before it finally clicked.
Then she watched as his face turn three different shades of red as his eyes widened and his mouth dropped open a little.
"Noelle!" He blurted out.
The young woman just laughed and pushed through the curtain of thin low hanging branches and leaves.
She walked through and headed for the rocks with her things. Noelle knew she would have to climb up a few feet to get to the top. But it was only maybe a good seven to eight feet up them.
Eventually, the embarrassment wore off, and Galen couldn't help but find himself chuckling while shaking his head.
Funny, no matter how many times he tries to one up her with jokes and one liners, she always manages to somehow outdo him. He can't say he has ever met anyone in the past that has been able to do that to him.
It was usually a game he was very good at too.
'Little vixen.' He thought with a grin.
Meanwhile, Noelle slipped her sneakers and socks off and dipped her foot in to test the temperature.
It was a little nippy, but not too bad. Especially, since it was already quite warm and humid out early this morning. So, it will feel very refreshing for her when she does go in.
Noelle then started to shed the rest of her clothes and placed them on the rock next to her stuff.
Once she was fully nude, she headed into the water. As she did, goosebumps littered her skin from the sudden temperature change. But she ignored the sudden coolness of the water and pressed on further out into the pool of water.
She paused with a shaky exhale when the water line rose up to just below her breasts. The hardest part was always getting your shoulders in.
Her nipples puckered and stiffened as a small shiver left her from the nippy water. Then she took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and ducked underneath the water.
While down there for several seconds, she heard the roaring echo of the waterfall a few yards down to her left. Then she broke the surface once more.
The water here was actually rather shallow. The waterline stopped just above her breasts and below her shoulders at its deepest point. She'll just rinse herself off here first, then go back to the rocks about ten feet away and grab her soap and oils.
Noelle only spent a couple minutes doing just that, before wading back to the rocks to grab the soap.
Near where the rocks were where she entered, the water level dropped to right below her knees. She took the soap, bent down to wet it then she started running it over her body in a lather.
She did this a few times, before walking out a couple feet and squatting down into the water again to just above her shoulders to wash off the soap.
Afterwards, she went back for the small bottle of oil and opened it. Noelle dipped some of the contents out into her hand, rubbed her hands together and started running them threw her wet hair.
Galen was sitting about under the tree. Out of habit, he would continually scan the surrounding area and listen for signs of danger. Though he found it a little challenging to see much, through the long curtain of branches from the weeping willow he was under. A lot of the branches were so long that they brushed the grass covered ground.
He sat there for around ten minutes, before Noelle pushed her way back through the curtain of low hanging branches with her things in hand.
She looked very refreshed as she came over and started putting her things away.
"Feeling better now that you're clean?" He asks.
Noelle shifted her light gaze to Galen with a small smile.
"Yeah, much better." She replied.
Once she finished putting her things back, she crossed the few feet and came to sit next to Galen.
"So, are you going to take your bath now, or do I got to drag your stinky butt up those rocks and into the water myself?" Noelle asks, with a teasing grin.
Galen grumbled at the thought of taking a bath. But even he can't deny, he did start to have an unpleasant odor starting to permeate from him.
"Fine." He muttered.
Then he stood up and trudged over to his pack.
Noelle found it amusing, this blatant distaste of getting wet. He almost reminded her of an irate cat. She continued to watch as he squats down and reached into his own pack to pull out his bar of soap. Then he too grabbed a small very thin blanket that he got and started using for a towel.
He ironically got it from the same stand Noelle got hers, thinking it was a good idea to do so. Then he stood up and headed for the curtain of branches about ten feet away.
He paused and turned back to her with a smirk.
"You know, since I already saw you once, you are entitled to a peek while I bathe." Galen teased.
Noelle arched a dark brow, "I don't know, something tells me, you'd like that way too much."
"Well, the offer is still there if you wish to take it." He said, while sending a wink her way.
Then he pushed through the branches and started heading for the rocks.
Noelle let out a small chuckle, he really was a ham, that one. Though the longer she sat there, an idea started forming. She thought it was the perfect time to pull another little joke on him.
She got up and made her way over to the curtain of branches and quietly pushed through them.
Then she stayed low as she climbed up the rocks that lined the large pool at the bottom of the waterfall. All while still trying to remain as quiet as possible, so not to give herself away.
Noelle slowly peeked her head up until she can see over the surface of the rock before her.
She saw Galen in the water a few feet away with his back to her. He was busy running the soap over himself while standing in waist deep water. He was completely oblivious to her presence there.
Then she saw what she was looking for only a couple feet off to her right.
Noelle smirked and reached out to grab the articles of clothing. For good measure, she grabbed his towel too. Then pulled them over to her. Afterwards she shifted her gaze back to Galen.
The chimp was busy running the mint leaf scented soap over his front when he heard someone call out his name from several feet behind him.
"Oh Galen, don't forget to wash these too. If you want, I can wash them for you." Came a teasing voice.
He quickly turned around and saw a grinning Noelle holding his bunched-up clothing in her hand and dangling it about.
"Hey! Don't even think about getting those wet! That's the only set of clothes I have!" Galen blurted out.
Apparently, he didn't realize as he was saying this, he waded closer to her in the process, where the water level dipped more.
Noelle definitely noticed though and got quite the eyeful of what lay below his waist. Her eyes widened a little and her cheeks flushed. She stared long enough to see that it didn't look much different than a human male's genitalia. In fact, there weren't really any differences.
Once she realized she was still staring, she quickly averted her gaze.
"Uhh, Galen, the water level dipped." She stated awkwardly, looking anywhere but at him.
He paused and quickly looked down at himself.
His eyes widened in surprise when he realized the water level had dipped so much that his private parts were on display for all to see. It made his face turn bright red.
He let out a small yelp and quickly ducked below the surface with a small splash until only his head and shoulders remained above the surface.
Noelle saw this out of the corner of her eye and couldn't help but laugh.
"What happened? With all that flirting about watching and now you're suddenly shy?" She said, between laughs.
Once the shock wore off, he rolled his eyes.
"I'm not shy...You just surprised me is all." He tried explaining.
"Yeah sure, and I secretly take the horse out for midnight runs while you sleep." She retorted.
He arched an eye ridge, "I find that awfully hard to believe. Since I would know when and if you did take off. I would hear you leave."
She placed her cheek in the palm of her hand with a small grin as she sat up on her elbows.
"Doesn't change the fact that I caught you off guard and got you good." Noelle said.
Then she held the bunched-up clothes in her other hand closer to her. She let out a small grimace when she caught a whiff of them.
"Eww, these definitely need to be washed, Galen. Here, I'll help you with that while you continue bathing." She said.
Then she sat up and was about to dip his clothes in the water.
His eyes widened then he clumsily lunged through the water towards her while trying to stay low and not stand up.
"Don't you dare! I refuse to walk around in wet, soggy clothing!" He blurted out as he came over.
Noelle pulled the clothes back and dropped them back onto the rock and started to laugh a little again.
"Hey, at least they would keep you cool. And it looks like it's going to be a hot one today." Noelle stated, with laughter in her voice.
"Nope, don't even think about dropping them in the water. Otherwise, you'll be going in with them." He told her.
"Oh, really? Who says I'll be going in after them? I can always just let them float out of the pool and down the river." She joked.
He continued moving closer to her position, while staying hunched over.
"Then you'll be swimming after them to retrieve them. And when I said you'd be going in after them, I meant I'll pull you in the water myself." Galen stated.
"Hah! I'd love to see you try." Noelle countered.
"Careful, Noelle. You don't realize how close of a possibility that's becoming." He says, as he continues to inch closer to her.
Though she saw this.
Once he was about a foot away, she quickly picked up his shirt and threw it at his face. Only to be surprised when he quickly caught it and held it up so it wouldn't get wet.
Then he quickly threw it aside and lunged for her. This all happened within a span of a few seconds. She was pretty surprised because she didn't know he could move that fast.
Before she could move away, he ended up grabbing her upper half with a wide grin.
"Gotcha!" He said, quickly.
Then he proceeded to pull her in with him.
"Wait! No! No! No!" Noelle blurted out as she tried to wriggle free of his grip.
It didn't work, and he ended up pulling her in fully clothed.
She let out a small, surprised yelp when he did this and when she went in, he started to laugh. Even as he kept his hold on her. It was even funnier when her hair acted like a dark curtain in front of her face, and she waved her arms about like a fledgling.
"Really!? I can't believe you just did that!" She blurted out, while finally being able to reach up and brush her wet hair out of her face.
"What? You mean to say that really surprised you?" He teased.
"Yeah! Unlike you, I have clothes on. Now, they are soaking wet!" She complained.
"So, they'll keep you cool. It will be a hot one today after all." He said, repeating her words from earlier.
Noelle narrowed her eyes at him.
"For that, considered your clothes good and wet." She told him.
She tried to squeeze out of his grasp to get to his clothes, laying on top of the rock in a heap.
But he held fast and wouldn't let go of her.
"Oh no, don't even think about it, you. You're not going anywhere near them." Galen said, with a small grin.
It was hard getting out of someone's grip when it was beneath your arms and around your torso while in water. It just made everything more slippery.
She huffed, "Fine. It's clear my little joke clearly backfired. Now, let me up so I can at least get out of the water."
Galen leaned in close, "You didn't say please."
Noelle gave him a look, then went to open her mouth to say something. Only to be cut off when he pressed his mouth to hers.
It surprised her a little at first, then she started to reciprocate the kiss. Her arms went around his neck, pulling him in close. She temporarily forgot the state of undress he was in as they stood in the water kissing each other.
They pulled back after a few seconds, their hearts feeling like they were going to bust through their ribcages as they caught their breath.
Galen gave her a quick peck on her forehead, before finally releasing her from his grip and letting her move away. He watched in amusement as she stumbled back a bit.
Then as her eyes drifted from his face to a little further south, that is when it hit her, and she remembered he was naked.
Her cheeks turned red again, "Uh, yeah. Just let me know when you're done in here. See you in a bit."
She then turned around and hoisted herself out onto the rocks and started to head back down.
Galen let out a chuckle when he saw how flustered she got when she remembered he didn't have a stitch of clothing on. Then watched her scramble back down the rocks and make a b-line to the curtain of branches hanging off the weeping willow tree.
He only spent another three to four minutes washing off. Afterwards, he got out, picked up his towel and started to dry himself off.
Then he pulled his clothes back on. Out of curiosity, he did give them a sniff. Though, he didn't believe they really smelled all that bad and surmised she was simply exaggerating the smell.
When he appeared, he saw her wringing out her shirt.
"Ready to eat something before we leave?" He asks, with a grin.
She shifted her gaze to him, "Yeah. Though I may have given half your food supply to Lola while you finished up in the water."
His grin quickly disappeared, "What!?"
Then Noelle busted out laughing from the look on his face and the outburst.
"I'm kidding! Your food is still there." She said, between laughs.
"Hmph, not funny. Seeing as I'm actually quite hungry." He stated.
"Ok, then let's eat." Noelle said.
The two of them sat down to breakfast, eating a small portion of fruits, vegetables and dried meat.
They sat there eating and conversing back and forth before they decided it was time to move on. Something Noelle found to be a tad disappointing because it really was a beautiful place and she wished they could stay a little longer.
She did mention this to Galen, and he did end up letting them hang around for another couple hours, enjoying the scenery and sharing a few more kisses.
By mid-morning, they packed their things, unhitched the horse, and headed back to the narrow path that led them there. They were a little unsure where to go next. But at least they had a map, so they still weren't completely lost, and they were still together.
With that in mind, they moved on.
I know it seems like they moved a little quicker in this story with admitting feelings for each other after only knowing each other for around a couple weeks or so. Where it was a much slower build up in my last story until they got to that. But I try not to make each of my stories similar.
Plus, if anyone remembers the last episode of the show, Galen did move pretty quickly with the female ape scientist Carsia, putting the moves on her and trying to kiss her at least twice within a day or two of meeting her, before he found out she was a sociopath.
So, sometimes, love just moves quicker in some stories than others (Plus, it is a fanfiction after all). This story will not be as much of a slow burn story like my last one. Again, because I like to add variety and keep each story different. Including the pace of the stories.
Until Next Time ;)