INTRODUCTION:

This is my first long-term fanfiction project, originally posted on Archive Of Our Own (user: The_Blue_Lyre). In the moment of writing this, I am in the process of posting my content from my AO3 profile onto as well, but once I've caught up with the chapters on here, a new chapter will be posted each Friday.

This story begins with an OC/OC-relationship but will eventually turn into a Caesar/OC-romance. (As of now, I'm still not quite familiar with the tagging-system on this site, so please have patience with me in this regard.)

Also, a sincere thank you should go to the guest who made me aware of the issue concerning the formatting of the first chapter – this has now been resolved. Whoever you are, thanks!

WARNING:

This story is a piece of fanfiction categorized as a long, multichapter slow-burn drama/romance story, which contains elements of interspecies relationships between characters which are, within the fandom, human in terms of cognitive abilities – the author does not encourage/approve of bestiality in any way, shape or form and does not categorize this story as such. (Basically, if Guillermo del Toro can do it in 'The Shape of Water', then I think this will be just fine.)

Additional tags that can apply to this story are: Family, Fluff, Angst, Violence, Eventual Romance, Smut and Character Death

Furthermore, this story is going to contain smut and violence further into the story, with a fair warning given in the beginning of each chapter in which they occur.

If anything in the above introduction/warning does not sit well with the reader, he/she is encouraged not to read any further.

As for everyone who chose to keep reading, I sincerely hope you'll enjoy the story!

Lydia

Finally, they had done it. After a year of trekking through half the country, over mountains, through valleys, crossing rivers and navigating through forests, they had reached their destination two days prior: Muir Woods, just outside San Francisco. They had taken quite a detour to get there, going north around San Pablo Bay, rather than go through San Francisco itself, but it had been necessary.

Lydia sighed, her breath visible in the chilly morning air, and turned her blue eyes towards her traveling companions: two evolved chimpanzees, an adult and a child of two years, and two rather wolf-like dogs.

Yes, the detour had been necessary.

They couldn't afford to run into any humans, who might be armed and carry a grudge towards apes after what had happened here five years ago. What had started here five years ago. The Simian pandemic.

She put her khaki green jacket on and slung her weathered backpack onto her back, which provided a nice place to sit for Orion, the two-year-old chimpanzee, who promptly climbed onto her. He loved sitting there during the first couple of hours after they would set off for the day. From there, he had a nice vantage point and he got to rest a bit longer than the rest of their small group, before his energy reserves kicked in around 9 o'clock, when he'd climb down and explore the area they were going through. He was always mindful of the rest of the group, though, and never strayed further away than where he'd be able to see them.

Roy trotted over to her as Orion made himself comfortable on top of the backpack. He was an adult chimpanzee of 11 years, and formidable in both size and intellect, with pitch black fur, a light face and kind eyes. He patted the smaller chimp on the arm with an amused huff before he directed his green gaze at Lydia and began to sign with his hands. "I hope they are still here. Will be good to see other apes again."

Despite his words, Lydia knew he was also concerned and knew the reason for this very well. They had already discussed the topic many times throughout their journey. She knew the apes in Muir Woods might be less than welcoming towards a human. It was only natural, really, after having been locked up and tested on in labs by humans. She was certain that many of them, up until the rebellion five years ago, had never experienced anything else in their entire lives. They had also discussed if the apes were even still alive and living in the woods anymore. If memory served her well, the authorities had spent quite many recourses on trying to eliminate them. That is, before the Simian Flu had killed off most of the world, and thus become the primary concern. Even so, it was a risk they had to take. She smiled reassuringly at Roy and signed back.

"I'm sure they are. If they're even half as smart as the two of you are, there's no way the humans could have gotten rid of them."

The concern etched on his brow didn't go away, though.

"What will you do if they… send you away?"

His fingers strayed towards the necklace he was wearing. They all wore one. It consisted of a crude leather string with the canine of a bear in the middle, flanked on each side by a bear claw with the hook of the claw pointing outward, towards the wearer's shoulders. Her eyes softened, yet her heart clenched uncomfortably at the thought. Honestly, she didn't know what she'd do if she was to continue on her own after they found the Ape Colony, but she wouldn't tell Roy that. The whole purpose of this year-long journey was to get him and Orion to a place where they could be with their own kind. Where Orion could grow up and learn how to be a proper ape. It wouldn't do if they turned around now, when they were so close. Not even if she had come to love these two apes as dearly as family.

"I'll go on with the dogs if that is what they want me to do."

That had sounded hollow, even to her own ears, but it was the truth. She didn't know where to go if they'd turn her away, but she knew that she'd go all the same. She reached up and grabbed Orion's hand, which was resting beside her cheek, and gave it a squeeze. He had started grooming her long dark hair with his other hand as best he could while she had it braided.

Roy seemed ready to protest, but she quickly put her fingers up to his lips to request silence, even if he didn't use his mouth to speak most of the time. It was a very intimate gesture, but not at all unfamiliar. They'd practically slept piled together for warmth for the better part of a year, so personal space was not an issue between any of them. He put his hands down and she removed her fingers, a soft look of pure affection in her eyes.

"We already talked about this. I won't risk the happy life you two could have with other apes." She grabbed her own necklace with one hand, and Roy's with the other.

"We are family, even if we are not together, even if we never see each other again, that won't change."

There was a finality in the way she said it. A certainty that left no room for arguing. All Roy could do was nod and sign for them to get a move on in a defeated manner. Lydia called the dogs over and started walking through the woods in a south-eastern direction, Roy dropping down on all fours to catch up with her long-legged strides.

He knew that Lydia only had good intentions for him and Orion, but she could be so stubborn sometimes. They had come to depend heavily on each other over the past year. So much that she was practically Orion's mother by now. A sense of dread filled the older chimp as he thought of this. Roy didn't even want to imagine how the little chimp would react to having his mother taken from him for the second time in his short life. He just hoped this Caesar would be able to understand.

Caesar

Caesar sat silently beside Maurice and looked over the other apes moving about the colony with his usual stern eyes and slight frown. He spotted his three-year-old son, Blue Eyes, playing with Ash and Lake while Cornelia and Rocket's mate, Tinker, kept an eye on them from the side-lines. The youngsters were chasing each other around in front of Rocket and Tinker's hut, occasionally spinning around themselves and hooting playfully. He couldn't help letting a small smile tug at his lips at the scene. Maurice noticed this and huffed to get his attention before signing to him with a knowing look.

"Proud of the village? Of your son?"

The Ape King, for once, wore a tranquil and carefree expression as he answered the older orangutan.

"Yes. The apes live in peace and the children are strong and healthy. This is what I always wanted since the day we broke free. Apes living free and together."

Maurice grunted in response and directed his gaze towards the general direction of the city they'd come from five years ago. Had it really been that long already? They had achieved so much since then that Caesar could scarcely believe it himself. Still, he if the humans were doing alright. It had been a long time since they'd last tried to attack the apes and Caesar had noticed that the lights from the city at night had almost completely vanished. When he had occasionally ventured close to the Golden Gate Bridge, there had sometimes been cars coming and going. This had happened less and less in the past couple of years, though. Were the humans even there anymore?

"Caesar is thinking of humans?" Maurice signed while giving Caesar a worried glance.

The Ape King let out a panting laugh in response before his face turned serious again. Somehow Maurice always knew what he was thinking. It could be a bit unsettling, but Caesar had gotten used to it by now.

"I wonder where they have gone. We almost don't see any signs of them anymore. It is strange. They used to be everywhere."

Maurice nodded solemnly. He had noticed too.

"This is good for apes. No humans near means peace. No more attacks." Caesar had to agree with that, though he knew that Maurice didn't hold any ill-will towards humans by saying this. He knew they could be cruel but, like Caesar, he was also aware that some could be extremely kind. A sentiment some apes, like Koba, would never understand.

The two apes continued their conversation, but stopped once Cornelia came over with Blue Eyes in tow. The child immediately wanted to be held by his father, which Caesar gladly complied with while Cornelia sat beside them. No doubt she was glad that her husband could take over their rambunctious child for a while as she sat and ate some fruit and berries she'd brought along.

Looking after Blue Eyes, Caesar knew, had become a challenge for Cornelia recently. Though shyer and more withdrawn than Caesar ever was at that age, the little chimp still had a knack for getting into trouble of varying severity. Especially when paired with Rocket's son, Ash, who was reckless at the best of times. The Ape King was happy to provide his wife some relief.

A sudden screech sounded through the forest, soon followed by several others and Caesar immediately tensed. It was Rocket, he was sure of it. He had left with his small hunting party early in the morning and was expected back any moment. Clearly, something was wrong. The screech was one of aggression and fear, which prompted Caesar to get up, hand Blue Eyes to Cornelia and quickly order a group of apes to follow him out into the forest. He ordered Koba to stay and protect the village when he moved over to join the group. They needed to have some kind of defence if it turned out to be a surprise attack from the humans, though Caesar doubted that was the case. Better to be safe than sorry.

When he'd gathered the necessary forces, he took to the trees outside the village gate and hurried towards the sound of the screeches with his heart beating violently against his ribcage.

He had to find out what had made Rocket so alarmed.