The next chapter is posted! Enjoy :)
The group of friends stayed in Lamont for a little over a week, before it was sadly time to leave.
It was a village they really enjoyed their time in too. The people there were very friendly. Even the gorilla guards there were very civil and polite. Elisabetta's best friend, Prefect Arthur seems to do a phenomenal job at running the village. At the same time, he is very fair and treats both apes and humans with equal respect.
Which would explain why the humans that reside in Lamont seemed to be very happy and thriving.
What was even better, was all the displaced villagers were able to find new homes. The other neighboring villages had written Prefect Arthur back and informed him that they did in fact have space for some of them.
Arthur assigned some guards to escort the displaced villagers to the other settlements. Something that didn't take too long, because the neighboring settlements weren't that far. The closest one was a day's walk away while the furthest one was maybe three days walk away.
They all thanked the prefect for his generosity in providing them with temporary shelter before they could move on. While the few families that were staying thanked him for providing them with homes.
Merrick couldn't leave without saying goodbye to Kylie, Galen, Alan, and Pete.
Before leaving, he gave them a deep thank you. He gave the three males a handshake and shared a hug with Kylie and Elisabetta. Merrick even told Kylie and Galen good luck.
At first, Galen didn't know what he meant by that. But Kylie knew, by the knowing smile he sent her. Because he was the first person she ever told of her true feelings for Galen as he was walking her and Elisabetta back to his former village.
He didn't seem to care that Galen was an ape either. But then, Merrick told her that humans aren't as judgmental, traditional, or as strict as apes would be about such a relationship.
The group of friends said goodbye to all the displaced villagers that were set to leave that day. They all seemed very happy and excited about starting over with new lives in a new place. It also meant that they all didn't have to worry about population issues anymore and all the men were free to now seek out women in these new villages to have families and a prosperous life with.
Once they all left and everything was settled, the friends could relax a little more and enjoy their time within Lamont Village.
Galen and Kylie loved having their own space while in Lamont. They must've made love almost every night spent within the village while they utilized Arthur's guest hut.
Of course, they made sure to keep it down during those times, seeing as everyone heard them the first time, pretty loud and clear.
Well, except for Elisabetta. According to her, she could probably sleep through a volcanic eruption and not know it. Mainly for the fact she was a very heavy sleeper.
Pete could believe it. He'd have to shake the hell out of her in the morning to wake her. Something that didn't last very long because on their third morning there when he tried it, she woke up with a start and punched him in the face.
Alan laughed his ass off when it happened, even after Pete sat there in shock, holding his nose.
Then when Alan told the others what had happened, they laughed like hell too. Though afterwards, Arthur felt bad he didn't warn Pete that it wasn't always wise to wake her, because she sometimes had a tendency to react in such a way. It's been that way since they were kids.
In the end, Pete wasn't mad and eventually laughed it off. Even after Elisabetta apologized profusely for the sucker punch to the nose upon waking. She was worried that Pete would think differently of her, just like the other human men she had met in the past.
But thankfully, he just continued proving how different he was from these other men and accepted her apology with ease.
The incident didn't deter Pete. He still liked her very much and during his stay in Lamont, he and Elisabetta still continued to get closer to one another.
It was something Arthur and his wife noticed as well.
Arthur was happy to see his best friend, whom he viewed more like a little sister seem to take such an interest in this man. He knew her fiery personality was a deterrent to most. But with Pete, it was clearly the opposite. He was more or less attracted to her fire, if anything.
Which is why he was a little disappointed when it was time for Pete, Alan, Galen, and Kylie to leave.
A part of him was hoping they would stay. They were very nice people, that much was clear, and he enjoyed having them as guests in his home. His wife Sora, and even their children liked them too.
The children really gravitated to Kylie because she was very playful and made them laugh. They also enjoyed her stories that she would tell them.
They also loved spending time with their 'Aunt' Elisabetta too.
The last time Elisabetta even visited, Arthur's oldest was only around a year old and his second child hadn't even been born yet. Because of this, she really started making up for the lost time she didn't spend with her surrogate brother, his wife, and what she considers her nephew and niece.
A few days before they left, Arthur did have a talk with Galen and Kylie.
Apparently, he was aware of what was going on between them and informed them that he knew. The pair at first became very nervous and tried denying it. But just like Alan, Pete, and Elisabetta, Arthur and his wife also heard them loud and clear that first night as they utilized the family guest hut.
Thankfully, Arthur assured them that he wasn't upset or disgusted in anyway.
While it was extremely rare for there to be such pairings between apes and humans, Arthur was not narrow minded like most would be about it. If anything, he was accepting and supportive.
He knew Galen and Kylie were good people. The last thing he'd want to do is put them in any danger by reporting them to the high council and the chief of security himself, Urko.
Arthur even offered the unusual pair residence here. He assured them that they would be safe here, if they ever found themselves back here looking for somewhere to live.
Because he knew, there maybe other villages, that would not be tolerant of such a pairing. So, he wanted to give them this option so they had at least somewhere safe they could live together in safety.
Galen and Kylie were pretty surprised by the generous offer and the fact that Arhtur wasn't put off by their odd relationship.
But then Arthur, grew up with a human best friend, and because of this, he grew to respect and like humans very much. He spent enough time with Galen to know he was a very good and honorable chimp with unwavering loyalty to his friends. While he saw Kylie to be a very kind, smart, and sweet human.
He can see why the pair would be taken with one another and understood.
Plus, he cannot also forget the fact that they saved and helped his 'human' sister and got her here safely along with their other friends. For that, he will aways be grateful.
On the last day, before they left, Arthur and Sora made sure the group of friends had enough provisions with them before they left.
Saying goodbyes was pretty hard for Pete and Elisabetta. It was clear the red headed young woman didn't want him to leave. There were times she had a hard time fighting back tears as she said goodbye to him.
Pete wasn't all that happy either with saying goodbye to her. This had to be the first time, he ever felt such a strong connection with any woman he was with and now, he was saying goodbye.
What hurt was, not knowing if he would ever see her again or if this was it.
Pete knew there was a chance, he could eventually be killed on this journey. But he felt he couldn't tell her that. At one point, Elisabetta said she would come with him on this journey. But he talked her out of it.
He knew how dangerous this journey could be, and he didn't want Elisabetta to get hurt or killed if she were to join them on his journey.
All he could do was tell her that one day, he would like to come back to Lamont and spend time with her. He just hopes that she was willing to wait for him.
For the first time in her life, Elisabetta felt in her heart, that he was the one for her. Because of this, she will wait for him. No matter how long it takes.
Before parting, Pete gifted her with the poetry book he got from the book stand back at the marketplace. He in fact got it for her as a gift.
Elisabetta thought it was very thoughtful of him. Even more so, because many of the poems in the book were by some of her favorite poets.
At the same time, she gave him a shirt she picked up for him at one of the clothing stands.
The shirt was a deep, royal blue color and made out of a very soft material. Pete really appreciated the gift and really liked it. Yet, at the same time, he was already starting to miss Elisabetta, before he even left.
Before they finally did part, Pete knelt down a little and pressed a soft kiss to Elisabetta's lips.
The kiss as brief as it was, was filled with emotion and promise. Pete never felt such a strong feeling before while kissing someone. It was strong and made his heart pound in his chest. While Elisabetta felt warmth pass through her and her cheeks turned almost as red as her hair.
It ended up being hard for them to part in the end.
But the four of them had to go. They felt there was still so much more to see and do. Pete told her goodbye one last time and referred to her as the affectionate nickname he gave her, 'Lizzie'.
It brought a teary smile to the red head's face, and one lone tear rolled down her cheek as he said, 'Goodbye Lizzie.'
Pete found it hard walking away from her. Each step he took, stung. His friends could see it too and felt bad for him. This is the first time; they ever saw him hung up on someone before.
Elisabetta was doing not much better as she watched Pete leave with his friends.
Arthur and Sora were there with their kids and watched them go. Arthur placed a comforting hand on Elisabetta's back and started to gently rub it. He could see Pete's departure was getting to her.
All he could do, was try and reassure his best friend, and tell her he will be back someday. Even if he is unsure if Pete will find himself back in Lamont one day. He hopes for Elisabetta's sake, he will be.
At this time, the four friends were traveling down a wooded path together. Having left Lamont just yesterday.
During this time, they usually just chatted with one another to kill time. It's all they could really do while traveling on the road. While Alan, Galen, and Kylie were fine, Pete was more quiet than usual, which was unlike him. It was clear he seemed upset about something, and all three friends had an idea of why that could be. He was missing Elisabetta.
Kylie couldn't help but feel bad for Pete. This has to be the first time in the six months she knew him, that she saw him actually upset over something. At least for this long. Usually, when Pete got upset over something in the past, it was usually very short lived.
She found herself placing a hand on his back as they all walked together side by side.
"I'm sorry, Pete. But I do like to think, we will return to Lamont one day. We all agree it's a great place to be. You'll see Elisabetta again." Kylie said softly, trying to reassure him and comfort him.
He didn't say anything at first, just gave her a brief nod and a silent, 'Yeah'.
Even Galen was starting to feel bad for him. While he knew Pete was quite the womanizer with the ladies, he can't say he ever saw him like this before. Which means Elisabetta must've been truly special to him.
He can only hope that one day, he can reunite with the fiery red head that appears to have stolen his friend's heart.
But even Galen knew, no one knows where this journey may end up leading them to. Though he likes to hang on to some hope that it will come to an end eventually and in a good way for all of them.
"Maybe we'll find our way to one of these neighboring settlements soon. This way we won't be camping out in the woods as much the next couple days. Arthur told us the nearest village to Lamont was Cormack. Perhaps, we'll find our way there within the next day or so." Alan said.
"Maybe we'll even hit a nice size lake or other body of water on the way there. Seeing as it's quite hot out again today." Kylie says.
It really was too. Funny, how even though Kylie has been here for about a half a year now, she noticed the weather temperature really hasn't changed too much. Probably has to do with the fact Alan and Pete informed her that they were in California and judging by the places they have hit so far, it was mainly central or southern California.
If that is in fact the case, then they most likely may not see freezing temperatures in the cooler seasons. Kylie noticed at night, it hasn't gotten much lower than maybe the fifties, or very high forties if that. Though during the day, the temperature still hovers between the sixties and seventies. With a couple random days, it made it to somewhere between eighty to eighty-two degrees during the day.
"But then, you're almost always hot." Galen teased her.
Kylie rolled her eyes.
"Very funny. But at least the heat doesn't make me smell nearly as bad as you. And this is why I opt you take more baths." She retorted.
"And here I thought you were having Galen take more baths, Kylie." Alan joked.
She snorted, "I try. But it's not always a one-hundred percent guarantee."
"Hah! I clean myself enough and that's all that matters." Galen stated.
"You sure about that? Because something smells awfully funny, and it's coming from your direction." Pete said, with a small smirk.
"Really? You sure it's not you, Pete?" Galen quips.
"Positive, I took a bath las night before we left Lamont." He says.
"Which means, it must be you. Because last I checked, the last bath you took was almost three days ago." Kylie teased.
Galen then shifted his gaze to Alan.
"Hey, don't look at me. I took a bath after Pete got out of the bathroom from his last night." Alan said, holding up his hands in defense as they continued walking.
"And I took one yesterday morning before we left." Kylie says, with a small smirk while shifting her gaze back to Galen.
"It's not me!" He blurted out.
The three humans started to laugh at his tiny outburst. Which only made the chimp give them all a sour look.
"Very funny, you three." He mumbled under his breath.
"Yeah, you're right. It really is funny." Kylie says, with laughter in her voice.
Galen shifts his gaze to her, then smirks.
"Funny, my stench didn't seem to bother you last night while we were having fun." He says.
Kylie's smirk disappears and her cheeks turn a lovely shade of pink.
"Galen!?" She blurted out, then whacked his arm.
The chimp just snickered at her reaction.
"While as amusing as that is. Really don't need the mental image. Still traumatized from 'hearing' you guys about a week ago." Pete says.
The pair's cheeks turned quite red at the reminder. It was easy to forget that the windows here in this time, don't have glass coverings. So, anyone and everyone on the block could've probably heard the pair.
"Thanks so much for the lovely reminder, Pete." Kylie quipped.
"Anytime." He says.
Kylie was almost tempted to ask Alan and Pete if they have heard them the nights after that, that they were intimate. But was a little too embarrassed to do so. Though knowing them, she thinks they would've mentioned if they did. At least Pete would, because he doesn't hold anything back.
The walk through the woods wasn't too bad. The trees gave them plenty of shade from the heat of the sun.
Galen would continue to hold Kylie's hand as they walked behind Alan and Pete while they all conversed with one another.
One of the things they liked most about walking through these small foot paths through the woods, is they were less likely to encounter gorilla troops that would be out looking for them. The gorillas tend to stick more to the open roads while looking for the astronauts and renegade ape.
As usual, the group mainly just stopped to eat and use the bathroom as they hiked through the woods. This was the norm for them whenever they were traveling. With the only times they stopped for a lengthy period of time, was at night to sleep.
Though sometimes, they may stop for a little while by bodies of water. Especially, if they were big enough and deep enough to take a small dip in and wash off.
It seems the routine for them is quite regular. At least when they are not ducking gorilla troops that are hunting them. Despite the fact that they had a couple close calls. On at least one of those occasions, Kylie had seen the infamous Urko.
Guy seemed like a total psycho and human hater to her from what she has seen so far of him. Certainly, made her uneasy and afraid. Even though Galen tried to reassure her and tell her they will be fine.
While she didn't mind the adventure they were on and the assistance they have given to others in need. Kylie still has never admitted to how she truly felt about the whole experience to Galen or their friends.
While she didn't mind a little adventure. Kylie can't say she was thrilled with the fact of being hunted. Especially, since it seems like that was the reason for this whole journey to begin with.
The whole reason why Alan, Pete, and Galen were on this journey from the start, was in fact to stay under the radar and avoid detection from Urko and the high council.
Kylie often wonders if they would be traveling as much as they have if they weren't being hunted or declared wanted fugitives.
Her train of thought was broken, when she felt Galen lightly squeeze her hand.
"You alright?" He asks her.
She shifts her light gaze to him and gives him a reassuring smile.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just got distracted by my own thoughts again, as usual." Kylie joked.
Galen smirks, "So, you were what's the term...'Zoning' out again?"
A small chuckle left her.
"Yeah, that's about right." She says.
Kylie was silent for a few moments before speaking again.
"Anyone up for some music?" She asks.
"Don't have to ask me. I'm always up for some music." Pete replied.
"Sure." Alan says.
"Just don't put anything too extreme on. Really not crazy about the songs where they scream like they are being murdered." Galen stated.
The three humans laughed a little at his response.
"Ok, I will." Kylie joked.
Galen leveled her with a look, which only made her chuckle again.
"Relax, Galen. I was only kidding. If it makes you feel any better, you can pick the first song." She says, then offers him her iPhone.
He took it with a small smile, then went into her iTunes.
Since she has been here, they must've heard majority of the songs on her playlists. Seeing as she played her music quite a bit when they were walking through the woods or along a road, to kill boredom. Plus, the music acted like a little piece of home to the three of them.
Galen scrolled through the list until he came to a stop at one of the ones he liked. The he tapped on it. Afterwards everyone listened as an old and very familiar tune started to play.
All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
And the sky is gray (and the sky is gray)
I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day (on a winter's day)
I'd be safe and warm (I'd be safe and warm)
If I was in L.A. (if I was in L.A.)
California dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day
"Guess you really got into that sixties rock music huh?" Kylie teased.
"What? The music of that time period is very catchy." Galen defended.
Stopped into a church
I passed along the way
Well, I got down on my knees (got down on my knees)
And I pretend to pray (I pretend to pray)
You know the preacher like the cold (preacher like the cold)
He knows I'm gonna stay (knows I'm gonna stay)
California dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day
At one point, Kylie heard Alan and Pete either humming to the lyrics or lightly singing to them.
Galen wasn't wrong about the song being catchy. It really was and it was a classic. That's what she liked about it. It was also songs her parents grew up listening to. Seeing as they were both born in 1968.
All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
And the sky is gray (and the sky is gray)
I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day (on a winter's day)
If I didn't tell her (if I didn't tell her)
I could leave today (I could leave today)
California dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day
The music really helped take their minds off of things that were currently going on. Like the fact they were being pursued by the ape's government.
The songs continued playing for a while after that. Mainly with everyone passing the phone around and playing a song they would like to here. Things would often get interesting when someone would go into YouTube looking for a specific song.
The funny look on Galen's face was priceless when Pete found the song, 'The Bird is the Word' by the Trashmen on YouTube and started playing it once. Even funnier when Pete found an actual old black and white video of the actual band themselves playing the song on stage.
At one point during the song, Galen asked if the singer was having a seizure of sorts when he really got into the words during the climax of the song and made his body appear like it was spasming a little to the beat,
The three humans just laughed at his silly questions. While Alan and Pete tried their best to explain to him that, that was how the music and dancing was at the time.
To the chimp, it was both strange yet fascinating how different the music was in Pete and Alan's time compared to Kylie's time. The music she mainly listened to was clearly different and more...energetic to say the least. With the music becoming more open and wilder.
Her music also seemed to rely at times more heavily on special effects in the songs to really spice it up and make it more intense. She played more than enough shining examples of them for the group. Though even Alan and Pete cannot say they weren't impressed by these 'new age' songs. If anything, the two men actually liked some of her music.
Pete even commented on one she played not that long ago, stating that both the lyrics and effects mixed in with the tunes were pretty awesome. He was commenting on the song, 'Imperfection' by this band called Evanescence.
Today in general seemed to drag on as they trekked through the woods.
Like always, they kept going until the sun started going down and it started getting dark. Once it did, they kept their eyes open for a spot they could stop and set up camp for the night.
It took about a half hour, before they found a spot suitable for all of them.
Galen and Kylie volunteered this time to get the firewood tonight. She turned on the flashlight setting on her iPhone and pointed it at the ground as her and Galen went off to look for sticks and dry leaves to use.
"Good thing about the woods is, there is never really a short supply of sticks and other things we need to start a fire." Kylie says.
"Nope. I doubt one could ever have short supply of those things while in the woods. Unless they're in a desert somewhere." Galen jokes.
"Don't jinx it. Otherwise, we may find ourselves in a desert at some point." She says, rolling her eyes.
"I certainly hope not. Don't fancy getting a headache because you keep complaining how hot it is there." He teased.
Kylie snorted, "Doubtful. More like just be looking at you the whole time wondering if you may melt from the intense heat and then all that would be left is a big pile of fur where you used to be."
"Still, if it means I wouldn't have to listen to you complain about the heat, I'll take it. Especially, if it means relief from your complaining." Galen jokes.
She arched a dark brow, "You make it sound like I complain about the heat all the time and I don't. So, I don't know where all this talk about me complaining is coming from."
He just smirks, "I know you're not one for complaining. I just like messing with you and getting you worked up."
"Gee, thanks." She retorted.
"You're welcome." He says, with a wide smirk.
After a few minutes, they were able to find enough sticks and dead leaves to bring back to their small campsite. They put the piles down together on the ground, making one large pile. Then they went to work making a fire.
Like always, it took a few minutes to get a decent fire built up and going.
When it was built up enough, it felt nice. Because unlike the hot temperatures during the day, tonight was pretty windy and cold. If felt like the temperature dropped from eighty degrees to fifty-two degrees come nightfall.
Kylie eventually took out that new woolen long sleeve shirt she got in Lamont and slipped it over her tank top as she sat by the fire.
The four of them then took some food out for dinner and started eating. As always, they chatted about random topics to keep themselves occupied. Though the best topics always seemed to be about funny childhood stories.
Pete had everyone laughing like crazy when he told them about the time, he was the ring bearer in his aunt's wedding when he was three years old. Apparently while his aunt and uncle were exchanging vows in front of the priest at the altar, he suddenly had to use the bathroom and couldn't hold it. So, he went to a small cluster of decoration flowers near the bottom of the front pew, dropped his pants and started pissing on them.
While he said just about everyone there got a good laugh out of it, including his aunt and uncle, apparently his parents weren't all that amused and gave him an earful for it afterwards.
It reminded Galen about the time he showed up to class without his pants and everything was hanging out for all to see. The class of kids got a good laugh out of it, but the teacher was not all that amused. Neither were his parents who gave him one hell of a spanking for it when they picked him up that day.
"Why am I not surprised you would do something like that?" Kylie asked, with laughter in her voice.
Galen just smirked, "Because I like to think you know by now that I was quite the handful as a child."
"Yeah, we can believe it since you have already told us enough stories to make a book out of." Alan joked.
"Please, don't act like you and Pete never got into any mischief as children. If you deny it, then that is when I say you're both big fat liars. Besides, you both told me your fair share of embarrassing and amusing childhood stories too." Galen stated.
"Yeah, we're not denying that." Pete added, with an amused smirk.
The chimp snorted, then his gaze shifted to Kylie.
"Though it seems we never really hear any embarrassing childhood stories from you, Kylie. So, care to share? And don't say you don't have any." Galen said.
Kylie rolled her eyes, "Of course I do. One of my favorites had to be the time I stole my mom's birth control pills when I was nine and started taking them because I thought they would help me grow boobs."
Pete sputtered on his water as he took a sip from his waterskin when she said that. Alan tried to cover up his amused grin. While Galen found it amusing, one question did come to mind though.
"What are birth control pills?" The chimp asked.
"They're a type of contraceptive that's supposed to help prevent you from getting pregnant. Mainly used by those who aren't ready for kids yet or don't want any more afterwards." Kylie explained.
"I see, though I don't believe they have anything like that here." Galen says.
"Really? What if someone already has multiple kids and doesn't want anymore?" Kylie inquires.
"I believe they have a type of liquid contraceptive in a small bottle you can drink after sex. Helps prevent the sperm from fertilizing the egg. But that's about it. But apes don't tend to have too many children to begin with. " Galen stated.
"While this is all very interesting, it's also starting to get quite awkward." Pete replied, not wanting to further discuss things like ape ovulation and reproduction.
Of course, Galen and Kylie found his awkwardness pretty funny. While Alan just tried tuning it all out and focused on eating.
They chatted more as the night went on. Until it started getting late. Afterwards, it wasn't long before Alan and Pete decided to call it a night. The men went to grab their blankets out of their packs then they laid down, while draping the blankets over themselves and using their packs for pillows, as usual
Galen and Kylie stayed up a little longer, enjoying the quiet time in front of the fire. Then he remembered something he's been meaning to give her. He figures now would be a good time. So, he reached into his pocket and pulled the object out. Then he presented it to her.
"Here, I got this for you at the marketplace in Lamont. Figured you like it." He says, as he holds out the small leather bracelet to her.
Kylie takes it with a small smile and inspects it. The entire bracelet was made of leather cord done in an intricate braided pattern and the cords were dyed a pretty light purple color from what she can see.
"Thanks, Galen. It's beautiful." She told him.
He smiled back, "Glad you like it."
Kylie then rolled up the sleeve of her woolen shirt, exposing her wrist. Then she handed the bracelet back to Galen and held out her right wrist to him and asked him to tie it on for her.
He tied the cord tails in a tight knot, fastening it in place for her.
She slowly pulled her wrist back and looked at the bracelet once more. It really was a nice and thoughtful gift. It also reminded her that she in fact had gotten him something from one of the stands in the marketplace too.
Kylie went into her large leather pack and fished around for the item until she found it and pulled it out. Then she presents it to him.
"Here, I actually went back to the book stand a few days back with Elisabetta and got you this book on history, seeing as you told me it's one of your favorite topics." She said, handing him the book.
Galen reached out and took the offered book and studied it. The book had a nice leather binding and was about the thickness of three fingers. The title said, 'Earliest Periods of Ape History'. Certainly, seemed quite interesting. Even if he already learned such topics in school when he was very young.
Nonetheless, he loved her gift.
He leaned in and gave her a soft kiss as a thank you. Kylie gladly reciprocated the kiss in return. It was short and sweet, but still got their hearts pumping just like any other kiss they have shared in the past.
After the kiss, Kylie shuffled in closer to Galen's side and leaned against him. While he reached up and wrapped one arm around her shoulders.
"Galen?" She asks.
"Yes?" He asked.
Kylie was silent for a moment, trying to think of the best way to ask him this question.
"You know how we were talking of kids earlier? I was wondering is it...possible in this time for apes and humans...to have kids?" She hesitantly asks.
Galen was silent for a moment, before answering.
"Honestly, I don't know. I never really heard of an ape and human pairing before. I mean I've heard whispers of it from other people. But supposedly, it's extremely rare. It's also something that was generally frowned upon in ape society. Technically, apes and humans as a whole are considered a completely separate species from one another. Seeing that is the case, I'm not really sure it is possible." He says.
"Would it...bother you if I... couldn't give you any kids?" She reluctantly inquires.
He pulls back a little and gazes down at her face. He saw hints of worry and fear in her eyes. Possibly worrying that he may reject her as a partner, if she cannot bear him offspring.
While he did want them, it didn't mean he would ever give up Kylie. He knew for some time now when he started getting involved with her of the slim to none chance of her conceiving with him. But it didn't mean he loved her any less.
"No, Kylie, it doesn't. I love you and always will, no matter what. Whether you can give me children or not is irrelevant. I'd still want my life to be with you and no other. I'm happy with whatever life we can have together." He softly said, while caressing her cheek.
A small smile appeared on her face and all that worry seem to dissipate instantly. She then leaned up and pressed her lips to his in a soft kiss.
Galen returned the kiss and pressed his mouth more firmly to hers. As the moments went by, it gradually became more heated as the kiss deepened, and his tongue invaded her mouth.
Their hearts pounded against their ribcages as they exchanged the passionate kiss. Until they eventually had to pull back for air. He then lightly pressed his forehead against hers.
The pair stayed like that for a little while longer.
They eventually pulled back when Kylie put her hand to her mouth to stifle a yawn. That was probably their cue it was time to settle in for the night. So, they reached into their packs and pulled their blankets out. Then they laid down together right next to each other and pulled their blankets over themselves.
Kylie moved in closer, pressing her front to his, and draping an arm over his side. While Galen wrapped an arm around her and held her close.
"I love you, Galen. Good night." She whispers.
He slightly tightens his hold on her, "I love you too, Kylie. Sleep well."
The pair steadily fell asleep to the soft sounds of the dying crackling flames of the fire. The whole group slept quite soundly as the night dragged on.
I don't own the song or lyrics mentioned in this chapter. The song is 'California Dreamin' by the Mamas & the Papas.
Until Next Time ;)