Secret Meetings

The Fighting Begins

This wasn't how Blue Eyes thought it would go. He expected warring with the humans to be exhilarating and glory filled, charging towards them with spears and bows and taking out their army in a single blow. Maybe even somewhat scary, but not terrifying. Not deadly. And not this horrifying.

He was a fool. An absolute bloody fool.

The young ape, still reeling from the battle as he walked through the hole in the human colony's outer wall, stood still within. The sky was dark with black clouds that concealed the moon, yet his shadow danced along the ruined ground due to the fires that raged behind him. He glanced back, the intensity of the red-orange flames burning his eyes while the memories, fresh and raw, replayed inside his head. Watching those he'd known for years being shot of their horses, blood spurting from their chests or heads along with their dying cries. Others being blown up, the pieces and blood and guts flying this way and that. And those who were set on fire after the explosion, screaming as their bodies were engulfed in fire and filling the air with the sickening scent of burning flesh and fur.

Blue Eyes looked away and closed his eyes. Just the thought of it made him sick.

But it was worse knowing that their fates could've been his. It could easily have been his skin being seared by flames, his body being torn apart, or his chest being riddled with bullet holes. The thought filled him with dread and fear, yet this battle was only the beginning. Already he wanted to be done. He wanted to go back home and return to the peace he'd known all his life in the forest. To his mother and his fath-

The tears sprung quickly, eyes growing watery and salty simply by thinking of him. The young quickly swiped at his eyes with a shaky palm, hoping no one would notice. Not that it mattered right now, since none of the apes nearby were paying attention to him.

All but one.

Ash came up from behind him and stood with the prince as they looked upon the human colony, the shrieks of the humans and apes both terrified and angry ringing in their heads. Thankfully, Ash had been beside him for most of the time, as had Rocket and Luca. Unfortunately, the bulky, silver chimpanzee and the leader of the gorilla guard were nowhere to be seen, leaving the two young chimps by themselves. A small trickle of apes still passed the two, giving them both questioning looks before moving on to where more fighting was taking place. Soon they were the only living beings in the area, the place void of anyone else, but that was fine with Blue Eyes.

He couldn't handle another fight, and he felt like he was going to break.

Ash stared into his eyes the entire time they stood there, watching as the prince's eyes became more glassy despite his efforts to hide it. Finally, after making sure all other apes had gone, he lifted one hand and placed it on Blue Eyes' cheek, wiping away the tears with a thumb and stroking his face. Blue Eyes leaned into his lover's hand, desperate for the comfort it provided.

"A-Ash," he croaked, feeling his body beginning to shake. "Please," he whimpered, not that he knew what he was asking for. Ash swallowed, clearly bothered by his mate's tortured tone. He said nothing, but let his hand slide down from Blue Eye's face, tracing his shoulder and arm until he reached the prince's hand. The young ape gripped it tightly, rubbing the back gently before tossing his head and gesturing inside the wall.

"Follow me," he said, turning away and finally entering the human colony while pulling Blue Eyes with him. The prince followed without complaint, letting Ash lead him away from the direction the other apes had gone. The two veered to the right instead, where multiple human huts stood tall. Ash brought him inside the one closest to the wall, and they entered after figuring out how to open the door. Blue Eyes, relieved to be away from the smokey sky and the thick smell of roasted ape flesh, shut it behind him and the two headed deeper within.