Secret Meetings

Reunion

"Your hand," Blue Eyes signed to Ash. "Let me see it."

Since escaping Anthony and Oliver, the two had successfully snuck away from the congregated apes without being spotted, and were now settling down for a brief rest inside in abandoned building coated with greenery and dust. They'd put a decent distance between them and the others after they'd left, and the sun now lay directly over their heads, but were still too close for Blue Eyes' comfort.

Unfortunately, the speckled chimp's blood loss was causing him to become dizzy and lightheaded, so they searched for an inconspicuous spot and stopped for a break. The prince had been anxious to grant Ash's request before, but after they'd settled and he'd gotten a good look at his mate, whose skin seemed a shade paler than his usual smokey gray, Blue Eyes was glad he'd gone against his cautions instincts.

Ash offered his bloody palm, and the prince gently grasped his wrist to hold the limb steady. He leaned in closer and examined the wound, now coated with both fresh and dried blood while the injury itself was inflamed from their constant motion throughout the morning. The sight was enough to make him queasy, but then he flipped Ash's and noticed the wet blood coating that side, too.

He suddenly felt sick and turned his head away.

"Blue Eyes?" Ash whispered.

"I think the bullet went through," he explained, and swallowed thickly as he released Ash's wrist. "I'm sorry. I can't look anymore."

Ash was silent for a moment as he processed the information, but then offhandedly signed, "At least we don't have to dig it out."

Blue Eyes only response was a thankful nod, as neither of them had any extensive experience in treating wounds. They could handle basic scratches and cuts, but a gunshot was far worse than they'd been taught to treat.

"What now?" Ash asked after a moment of heavy silence.

"Whatever we do, we need to take care of that wound," Blue Eyes replied automatically, knowing that infection was likely to set in if Ash was left the way he was. "We need to look for anything that can help us."

"There might be something in the nearby buildings," his mate suggested.

"Maybe. It looks like no one's been in them for a long time. But humans might have taken everything already." The prince paused and gave the speckled chimp a questioning stare. "How are you feeling?"

"Still weak," Ash answered. "And shaky, too. The pain is terrible. I don't know if I can go much further."

"Ash-"

"You should search those buildings, Blue Eyes."

"And leave you alone?! What if apes come looking here?"

"That's unlikely-"

"But not impossible. No, I'm not leaving you behind! We stay together no matter what, remember?"

"Of course I do. I don't like this either, but we need help and I don't think I can walk much further."

"Then we'll wait a little bit. We've been sneaking around all morning. I'm sure you're just tired, Ash."

"Blue Eyes-"

"We rest for a while, then we leave," Blue Eyes stated.

Seeing that arguing was pointless, Ash sighed and dropped his hands. Blue Eyes moved to his mate's side, sat down, and wrapped an arm around him. Despite being a little annoyed at the prince's stubbornness, the speckled chimp still laid his head on Blue Eyes' shoulder and closed his eyes.