Chapter Text
A gentle breeze rustled the leaves and the smaller branches of the trees. Noa stood motionless, his heart pounding in his chest.
"NOA!" Mae yelled, this time with a more annoyed tone, "I know you’re up there somewhere! Come out!"
Mae was much slower than Noa, but her insight and stamina definitely made her a good tracker. She followed him, and although Noa was sure he got a big head start on her, Mae was able to stay in the exact área where he was hiding.
The dense green foliage of the trees hid him well. If Noa remained still to avoid the crunching of the branches giving him away, he could stay hidden among the trees for a while longer.
He was buying time while dissipating the negative emotions inside him. He really didn't want to talk to anyone, but with Mae looking for him, he wouldn't have much more time to analyze what he had done.
The moment Noa saw her watching his confrontation with Seeb, he knew her eyes were full of questions and concern, and he was sure he wouldn’t be able to escape her curious predator's gaze so easily.
Deep down, he was grateful that Mae had intervened just before things got really bad. Her loud and clear shout, calling his name, gave him a brief moment of lucidity that he seized to flee. And as he ran, the anger he felt for Seeb turned into disappointment and shame at himself. How could he not control himself? Which bug had bitten him? And now, with what face would he give an explanation to the group as to why they had to leave?
Explaining what happened to Mae would be simple, but humiliating. He rarely found himself admitting his lack of control. He wasn’t violent and much less looking to provoke conflict like that.
However, despite his frustration, Noa was also pleased to learn Seeb's true intentions. Seeb had assumed that Noa was Mae’s “friend” and shared his desires with him, but he was mistaken about the ape and, above all, the echo.
Seeb likely had genuine intentions, but Noa could not tolerate, and definitely would not allow, him to try to court Mae. If he saw him a single foot closer than usual to Mae after his confession, Noa would not stand for it. He would fight back without hesitation, without resisting like this time.
Noa wasn’t familiar with the culture of all apes. He was surprised by Próximus’s interest in human knowledge, but he didn’t know there were apes who not only sympathized with the echoes but also saw them as beings with whom they might mate.
He liked the idea of being the only ape attracted to a human, a feeling he had struggled to recognize. For a long time, he told himself that this attraction was an anomaly, something against the nature of his species. Noa couldn’t talk to anyone about it without feeling embarrassed or guilty.
But his attraction to Mae was like witnessing the birth of a fire that, from small sparks, grew in intensity and began to slowly consume the first dry branches that fed it. Each day feeling more enveloped and warmer by the burning.
Every glance between them was a silent exchange of intense emotions: curiosity, fear, affection and something deeper that both didn’t fully understand. The way they looked at each other, unable to take their eyes off each other, throwing sparks at each other even without touching, spoke of a growing and inevitable attraction.
That unfamiliar and electrifying feeling was like a forbidden need that Noa was unable to escape.
So he felt weird, even different, experiencing things he shouldn’t for a species that wasn’t even his own. He couldn’t judge Mae’s species if they also felt attraction to her, but he never considered that Mae might also arouse desires in apes other than himself.
This revelation troubled him deeply, especially because of Mae's vulnerability if she became the object of some ape's desire.
For that reason, the thought that Seeb might go through a similar process made Noa nervous. The thought of another ape interested in the echo that Noa had come to consider his guilty desire filled him with jealousy and made him territorial.
Definitely, Seeb was no longer a trusted ally, not when both were interested in the same female. Therefore, they had to leave that place.
Noa had never behaved possessively, at least not openly with Mae, and he didn’t know how she would react. Mae had always been very independent of others' moods, especially if she already had a firm stance on the subject. But he was unsure how she would feel now, being directly affected by Noa’s emotions.
It wasn’t the first time Noa had felt jealous of Mae.
When the first few humans joined the Caesar’s Order, seeing Mae interact with them made him feel very uncomfortable, out of place, and foolish. Despite that, he didn’t react violently on those occasions, as he didn’t quite understand what was happening to him.
Noa preferred to blame his discomfort on witnessing the odd group dynamics of the humans, which honestly wasn’t much different from that of apes, though Noa wasn’t in the mood to make sense of it.
Every time he saw Mae laughing or conversing with the human males, he felt a knot in his chest. It was a dull pain that slowly consumed him, a mix of insecurity and resentment at seeing her so comfortable with her own kind. So, whenever he felt this way, he chose to step aside, giving them their space and avoiding watching them to not feel worse.
But to Noa’s surprise, Mae noticed his behavior and, during one of their private moments, explained to him what jealousy was. Naming what he was experiencing made Noa feel somewhat calmer, although it was also influenced by Mae had a warm glow in her eyes that reflected a soft and comforting light, as if the act of comforting him brought her deep satisfaction.
With that new clarity, his discomfort seemed more manageable, and as a good problem-solver, Noa knew that only Mae could help him. But deep down, he knew his proposal was absurd.
He thought about asking Mae to stop talking to the human males. It sounded better in his head, but when said out loud, it was total nonsense. He knew he couldn’t ask her that; it would be like going against the principles of the Order they were starting.
And with the embarrassment, as he now felt, he told Mae. She agreed with him, but also mentioned that it didn’t mean there weren’t other ways to calm him down. And when Noa was about to ask her about those other options, anxious to get off that jealous feelings, Mae kissed him on the lips for the first time, and the calming effect was immediate.
Although they had kissed before, it had always been affectionate gestures on the cheek or forehead, careful not to further confuse their relationship. However, with that kiss, Mae unmistakably sealed that she preferred him over the males of her species.
The insecurity didn’t completely disappear after that gesture, but Mae made no hesitation in reminding him as many times as needed that she only liked him.
Over time, Noa silently came to terms with the male echoes, internally proud of the special attention he received from Mae, which for nothing in the world, he wanted to lose.
However, now that he noticed that others of his own kind might also steal some of his echo’s attention, with intentions as clear as Seeb’s, that feeling not only returned but also brought with it an urgent need to defend his possessions.
Noa had never been so eager to defeat another ape just to prove to Mae that he was the only one who could capture her attention. He would get rid of any competition.
Although he knew that fighting with the humans would annoy Mae, she wouldn’t be able to object too much if he himself was willing to confront his own kind. Something deep inside him urged him to mark his territory, of which Mae was a part.
A sharp screech echoed through the sky, pulling Noa from his thoughts. The boy immediately knew who it was.
"Eagle-Sun!" Mae shouted cheerfully.
Noa couldn’t see Eagle-Sun’s descent due to the limited visibility from his branch, but he could see that the bird landed on a branch near Mae, who was affectionately stroking its plumage.
"Sun, good boy, maybe you can help me... Can you find Noa for me?"
<<That dumb eagle is going to give me away without hesitation.>>
Mae was fond of him, of course, so Sun would do her the favor.
Eagle-Sun screeched as if he understood the mission he was given and took flight. Without hesitation, as if he knew exactly which branch Noa was hiding on, he flew straight to him, screeching and revealing his location.
"You’re a traitor. How do you so easily obey her?"
If the eagle had a trait to express its mood, Noa was sure it would have had a mocking expression aimed at him. Eagle-Sun, on the other hand, advanced toward him with wings extended, flapping them as if trying to push him off the branch.
"I’m not coming down."
"Do you know I can hear you already?"
Noa growled at Eagle-Sun, blaming him.
"Want to come down and explain what happened? If you don’t, then I’ll come up," Mae threatened.
"I’d like to see you try!" Noa shouted with mockery.
"Don’t test me! You know I’m capable."
Although Noa was tempted to see another demonstration of Mae’s climbing skills, knowing it would be slow and give him a bit more time, he didn’t need to be told twice. Noa descended three times faster than Mae would have climbed.
"Thanks, Eagle-Sun!" Mae called out to the eagle watching them from above.
"Yes, thanks," Noa replied sarcastically.
"Tell me..." Mae looked down at Noa, and as she approached him, her expression of gratitude shifted to one of slightly annoyed suspicion. "If you even think of running away, I’ll track you down again. I’ve realized I’m quite good at it."
Noa couldn’t help but remember how Mae had followed him relentlessly when he was searching for his clan. Without a horse, only on foot and hungry. She really knew how to find him. She was a natural predator.
"What’s wrong with you?" Mae asked with a worried tone, reaching for Noa’s hand. "What happened with Seeb?"
" We'll probably have to leave.” Noa replied with a sigh.
"I already know that. I’ve seen it. But I want to know what happened."
"He... showed interest in you."
Mae frowned, visibly surprised.
"In me? But he’s an …ape."
"Apparently, I’m not the only one who can be attracted to you," Noa commented, trying to control the frustration in his voice.
"Did you expect that only you would like me?"
"Yes."
"Noa!"
"It’s the truth. I didn’t think there were other apes who wouldn’t care that you were an echo."
"Perverts don’t escape any species, huh?" Mae commented, laughing as if she had just said something funny. Noa felt embarrassed.
"So I’m part of that group too."
"Wasn’t your attraction a guilty pleasure?"
"It won’t be, if others can also feel the same way."
"Nonsense. You’re still unique." Mae cupped his face and gave him a kiss on the nose. Noa felt once again the calming effects that only Mae’s affectionate gestures could bring him when he was upset. "So, did you fight out of jealousy? Didn’t we settle that already?"
"You don’t understand, Mae," Noa replied, stepping back slightly but not leaving her space. "I messed up big time confronting him. And now I find myself unable to stay away from you with him around. Seeb can no longer be trusted."
"He could still give us shelter," Mae offered.
"And try to court you," Noa said with a frown.
"I’ll avoid him," Mae shrugged.
"He’ll insist," Noa protested. "And when he doesn’t get the results he’s hoping for, he might try something worse. And then I’ll kill him," Noa said with a snort. Mae felt his tension under her arms and started to stroke him up and down, recognizing that he was serious. "This place is no longer safe. It makes me feel violent."
Mae looked at him worriedly.
"The human males don’t make you feel this way."
"Not anymore. And... I know you don’t like them."
Mae snorted smiling at Noa’s small and cheeky grin. She shook her head slightly to focus.
"But what about your species? Raka taught us that one ape shall never kill ape."
"I won't be able to do my part if you're at risk," Noa took the opportunity to hold her tighter, relaxing a bit more with her pressed against him. In response, Mae stroked his back. She knew that physical contact calmed him down. "Our nature drives us to fight if we’re interested in the same female. I can’t avoid reacting if they see you as free."
"What do you mean?"
"In their eyes, you’re a free female," Noa replied, pulling away just enough to look at her but not letting go. "As long as you haven’t mated with another ape, the other single males have the freedom to court you. That’s how it works if they see you as a potential mate."
"With an echo?" Noa nodded, his expression serious. Mae looked at him, not fully convinced. "I thought everyone had a bad idea about humans."
"Apparently not al lof them. You saw this village. They use tools and are aware they’re using... human-made facilities; they don’t deny it. I’m sure Seeb wants more advantages from your people... or from you."
"Calm down. I’m not with him. I’m here. With you," Mae pressed their foreheads together. "If...," Mae hesitated, not taking her eyes off him, "if I were mated, Seeb wouldn’t try anything with me, right?"
Mating. This was a new concept for Mae. She knew it went beyond just consummation; Noa explained her that it also involved an official announcement of being mates and a proof of their union, usually demonstrated by the male's scent inside the female.
Noa and Mae had already partially fulfilled the concept. They had been intimately united, making up for lost time when both were too busy understanding their feelings. They took every chance they could to indulge their desire, knowing they couldn’t be away from the pack as much as they’d like.
Their brief and furtive meetings became exciting, especially the quick encounters on tree trunks while foraging for the group, and subtle touches while sleeping, taking advantage of their closeness due to the cold. Always behind everyone’s backs, so they wouldn’t notice, but certainly taking advantage of their proximity.
As leaders of the Caesar order, they had responsibilities they couldn’t neglect. It was an opportunity to start new customs, but they feared their relationship might scare off potential new members of the order. Hence, it wasn’t a good time to officially announce their union, despite both being sure of their feelings.
"No, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that he likes you." Noa tightened his grip around her waist. "So he’s still untrustworthy. We need to leave."
"The group won’t take it well."
"I know, I know," Noa sighed, frustrated. "I’m trying to figure out how to explain it to them without revealing our situation."
And there lay Noa’s true frustration. Confessing that he nearly fought Seeb over Mae would lead to revealing their relationship. The order didn’t know how committed Noa and Mae were. They weren’t fools; they suspected something.
The apes knew their scents were mixed, and the humans were observant noting the small physical contacts Mae and Noa shared, partly revealing their intimacy. It wasn’t just platonic affection.
They only needed an official announcement, which neither the involved parties nor those interested in knowing it wanted to mention.
But aside from all this, they had been traveling for weeks. It was the first time the group had relaxed without being alert for Próximus’s followers tracking them. If attacked, they relied on Seeb’s clan to defend them.
Which now seemed impossible because of Noa.
"And what if we talk to Seeb?" Mae suggested. "Him, you, and me. Let’s make it clear that we won’t stay if he keeps on with the idea of…getting me?" Mae already understood Noa’s attitude. The uncertainty of attracting an ape endangered their coexistence. "You know, these things are explained by talking."
"Not a chance." Noa responded firmly. "He’s my competition. I can’t allow him to stalk you."
"Stop thinking about me, okay? I can be firm about this too," Mae looked at him with a more determined tone. "Now we need to think about the group, Noa. We should recover for a couple of more weeks, gather supplies, and continue exploring the entire Eastern area." Her voice and gaze softened a bit. "We’re not ready to separate yet. Also, this place isn’t against interspecies coexistence. What better place for us to take refuge?"
Noa watched her in silence, considering her words. It was true. That clan showed no signs of distrust towards echoes. Their curiosity and goodwill made them feel welcome. With a bit more time, they could even integrate into the Caesar order.
"So what do we do?" Noa asked, looking for a solution that would address his concerns.
Mae pulled away from his embrace and began to pace in circles, considering options.
"First, we talk to the group," she began, her voice resolute. "We’ll tell them what happened and consider their opinion. Then, we’ll address the issue with Seeb."
"I still don’t like that option, Mae," Noa furrowed his brow, uneasy. "He won’t promise not to try anything."
Mae stopped to face him and took his hand again. Her gaze was firm but understanding.
"He’ll have to do it out of respect for you and me. He’s the leader of this clan. His position depends on maintaining order and harmony."
"And what if he gets infatuated with you?" Noa was still worried about her.
"He won’t, Noa," Mae replied confidently. "We’ll make it clear that we’re together. If he tries anything, he’ll lose his status and the loyalty of his own clan. And we will definitely be leaving" Mae nestled into Noa's chest, which welcomed her with a comforting embrace. "He has nothing to gain."
Noa let out a deep sigh.
"I'm not used to any ape catching my interest. We’ve already agreed that being together is a decision for both of us. We’ve both decided," Mae took his head in her hands to make him look into her eyes. "I still love you."
And finally, a warm feeling spread throughout Noa’s body. The tension was finally gone.
"And I to... you."
Mae smiled at his response.
"If announcing our thing assures us a good base here, it’s time" Mae commented, gently stroking his cheek with her thumb. " We'll be more careful when we meet apes or other humans along the way.
And looking at him with a playful twinkle in her eyes, she added:
"And I don’t think the group will be against us, but they will surely be upset if we allow them to kick us out. Let’s avoid that last scenario, okay?"
Noa’s heart was pounding in his chest, this time for very different reasons. Announcing their union would mean fulfilling the final part of their mating, a step that would solidify their commitment.
"Mae..." Noa hugged her excited that she herself had proposed this solution. "When will we announce it?"
They were alone, away from any curious eyes. Eagle-Sun was either perched on a high branch or flying; he didn't know; he didn't care. He just wanted to return to the village with a clear scent of him inside Mae so that Seeb and all the other apes could precisely identify who Mae had been with and what they had been doing. And Noa knew exactly how to accomplish that purpose.
"The sooner we get back, the sooner… Noa!" Mae exclaimed in surprise as Noa lifted her by the waist, making her wrap her legs around him, and then leaned against the nearest tree.
"Maybe… we need to mix… our scents to… convince them better," Noa murmured between kisses on Mae’s neck.
"Noa... someone might come..." Mae gasped, wrapping her arms around his neck to keep him in place. Their encounters had always been like this, sudden and out in the open.
"Let Eagle-Sun scare them away," Noa growled, pressing himself closer to her.
Mae laughed at his eagerness and closed her eyes abruptly as she felt him excited against her. She didn’t want to stop either. Their stay in this clan left them few moments like this.
Noa abandoned her neck, and before Mae could protest, their lips met in several passionate kisses that left them breathless. They were unable to stop caressing and rocking against each other as the jungle surrounded them with its protective blanket.
Without letting go of her hold on him, Mae briefly pulled away, bringing her lips close to Noa’s jaw and giving him a soft kiss that made Noa groan, digging his fingers into her hips.
"Remind me... What do we need to do? An announcement, a union—" Noa’s breathing became rapid and intermittent as he felt Mae’s soft scratches descending down his abdomen, "—and what else?"
"…My essence inside you."
"Inside an echo? You have such strange tastes!" Noa felt Mae’s smile on his neck, mocking him.
Holding Mae’s dressed bottom, Noa rocked her closer to him, causing her to arch.
"Inside my mate, which is my guilty pleasure." he replied hoarsely
And without wasting time, sliding his hands up from Mae’s waist, pulling down the top garment covering her bare chest, he kissed her again.
If they were going to officially reveal their relationship, Noa would present all the evidence: union, announcement, and the unmistakable trace of his essence inside Mae, evident to those with a keen sense of smell.