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Noa wakes to the sound of retching and heaving and coughing. He leaps out of the nest and follows the noise. He finds Mae bent over outside throwing up. He makes concerned sounds and gently puts his hand on her back. “Mae?” He feels his heart in his throat and his mind race with scenarios of incurable illnesses.

She heaves again and makes a miserable sound.

He crouches beside her. “Mae?”

She gags but doesn’t throw up.

He watches her spit and awkwardly slump to the ground. He catches her and encourages her to lean into him. He pulls her head to his chest, tucking it under his chin. He tries to give soft comforting grunts… He hopes she can’t hear how worried he is.

She pants and tries to catch her breath. Her eyes are closed. She rests there for a while just letting Noa’s gentle caresses over her hair and the side of her face soothe her. Then after a long while, she licks her lips and tells him. “I… I think I'm pregnant.”

He grunts. He doesn’t know what that word means. He wonders if it is an Echo illness and if she’ll get very sick and if apes can cure it. 

She senses his racing mind. So she sits up and takes his hand and brings it to her belly.

He suddenly chokes on a breath. “A child?”

She nods. 

“I did not think… it was… possible,” he says quietly. He almost doesn’t want to hope.

“I didn’t either. But… I’m… I’m… I’m pretty sure…”

He sees her frightened eyes. He wants to take those feelings away and promise her that things will be okay… but the more he thinks about it, the more he is also frightened. If this was true, what did it mean for the child and its size in comparison to her body? What was the end, the birth, supposed to be like? How truly different were apes and humans…?

Her breath catches. “I’m scared.”

He shakes his head and pulls her into the tightest hug. 

After a long while of gentle caresses and soft comforting sounds, he whispers, “I am too.” But he almost curses to himself because he must show that he is strong for her. He must. That is his duty and it is what he promised her. He kisses her head. “We will… figure out… together.”

She nods into him and grips his fur. She exhales, “I’m so glad I have you.”

He hears the relief in her voice and he holds onto it with everything he’s got. They will keep each other afloat like logs on the river, and they will hold onto this hope. It will be okay. And he will care for her and their child.

Chapter Text

And figure it out they try.

Over the next few weeks, Noa did his best to make sure Mae had everything she needed. He didn’t leave their home until she was able to keep something down. He made sure to visit her during the day when he was about the village. He helped her to bed when she was really tired. He didn’t like the changes that were happening to her because he didn’t like to see her so miserable. But even though she assured him this phase was normal, he couldn’t help but have a nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach that something wasn’t right.

But he kept it to himself especially when he was among the villagers. He was very quiet on how things were at home when he was asked. He said nothing more than “good” or “it’s been fine” or “Mae is fine.” He knew that his mother was suspicious.

Then one morning, it was impossible to keep silent anymore.

Mae was leaning against the table. She was very pale and shaking and unsteady on her feet. She didn't look like herself. Noa didn’t like the way she leaned into him when he put his hand on her back. But he was relieved when she didn’t put up a fight when he suggested they go see the healer.

However, the journey across the village took its toll on her more than either anticipated. Noa barely caught her when she fainted.

He froze and choked on fear. The healer helped him snap back to his senses. They picked her up and placed her on one of the nests. He called her name.

“Gentle,"  the healer told him.

He hadn’t realized he’d been a little shrill. He tried again.

“Good, good.” She patted him.

He reached and brushed Mae’s hair away from her face. He called her name again. He let out a lot of very relieved sounds when she slowly started to come around.

In the meantime, the healer checked the human over… and in no time, found the change in the girl. She gave Noa a huff and a hard look.

He tried to avoid her gaze and tend to Mae to shield himself and her from a scolding.

The healer examined the human to the best of her abilities. She asked Noa what Mae had been eating the past few weeks. Noa did everything he was told. He told her everything they had. He waited for a lecture because he just knew he did something wrong.

But no lecture came. Instead, the healer guessed that ape food was not doing it for Mae. That she needed more for proper nourishment. She didn’t know what humans needed but what Mae was having wasn’t cutting it.

Noa nodded and thanked her and remained beside Mae until she felt better. Then he pressed her for what humans should be eating. It took a while because her head kind of hurt but she told him what she remembered from her life with other humans.

Once they were back home, he wasted no time in gathering his burlap sack and his canteen. He listened to everything she said and tried to memorize it all. But oh, he was so not pleased when she gathered her own satchel and started to put on her boots…

He looks at her with a fierceness that makes her breath stop. “You are not … coming… with me.”

She knows he's worried but he can't be this stubborn right now. “I can help you find things.” She moves to pass him.

He grabs her arm to stop her from leaving. “You have fainted . I cannot let you… come with me.”

She glares. “I'm much better off being with you than I will be if I'm here alone. You know this-”

He's listening but he wants her to stay. He wants her to stay where she's safe. He wants her to-

She gasps and looks at him with wide eyes. He'd tightened his grip.

He let go instantly. He looks worried and hurt and soft sounds of apology slip out. He looks so sad. He reaches to soothe the spot he- Oh, he feels awful. “I'm sorry, I-”

Mae pushes his hands out of the way and hugs him. “It's okay, it's okay. I know you're only scared. I- I am too." She rubs his back and sighs. She squeezes him. "Just- let me go with you. I will take along food. I will eat the whole way," she pleads.

He gives another hurt sound. “But what we have… is not enough." His finger brushes her flat belly. "It is not..."

“It's something,” she tries. She runs her hands up and down his arms. "It'll keep me going until we find what we need."

What if we do not find it?

She cups his face in her hands. "We will find something. We will." She kisses his lips and leans her forehead against his. They exhale together.

He still feels conflicted but they're wasting time standing there. "Then… let us go."

They ride out into the valley. Mae sits in front of him, munching on berries, and telling him the details about everything they need. She flips through her book she brought along. It's filled with scribbles and haphazard drawings of everything she could remember. She wishes for a map so she could recall where the food spots from the old days were. It would save them so much time now. She sighs and leans back into Noa as he steers the horse.

He nudges her. “Eat."

She gives a small smile and trades her berries for an apple from her bag. She smiles more and giggles softly when he kisses her cheek after her first bite. 

They had been moseying along for a good part of the day when Mae suddenly taps Noa's leg. “Wait wait, here.”

He stops the horse and looks around. The spot looks the same as any other place. “Here?”

She's looking. “I mean there!” She points to a field with tall plants. “They look familiar!"

He isn't convinced yet but leads the horse closer. He dismounts then pulls her off too. He ties the horse to a twig. They walk to the field holding hands.

It isn't a long walk, but it's enough to tire Mae out.

Noa notices her shakiness and makes her sit. He presses the canteen in her hands. He waits until she has color in her face again before he talks. "I will bring… plants?" 

She hums tiredly. “They are brown and oval.”

He nods. He goes to the plants and picks a few of those brown oval things off and takes them back. He holds them out to her. He keeps one for himself and bites into it and spits it out so fast because it tastes so bitter. He grumbles at her giggle. He sits beside her and watches her hit one with a rock to crack it open. He gives a curious sniff as he watches her inspect the white insides.

She picks at it with her nails and licks it. She puts it in her mouth. “It tastes familiar.”

He smacks his lips with disgust. “Does it not… taste bad?”

She takes a drink of water. “Not really. We grew them every once in a while because they used a lot of water. They were bitter but... alright.” She eats the other half.

“So we need these?”

She chokes it down and drinks more water. “Yeah.” Then she curses.

He is concerned. “What?”

“We should have brought a pot or something to put a whole plant in... We can set up a system at home so that it gets water but doesn't use too much.”

He looks skeptical. She laughs lightly and pats his chest. “It’ll be fine. This is good for me.” She sighs and gets her footing and stands but he stands with her.

“You… stay here. I will gather… more.”

She gives him a look but he motions for her to sit again. She sits back down with a huff and a glare that says she’s not amused. She watches him wander and gather more into his bag.

He returns a while later with at least a three days supply of those things. “I will... come back... when you need... more. We will return... for your plan... too."

She nods and sips more water. He sits down beside her again and lifts her shift with his finger. He traces her flat belly.

Soon, they continue scouting around for more food. She sits behind him on the horse this time since he frequently dismounts and brings back things for her to see. It’s a fine system. He has her book in hand and looks at the drawings. He glances at the page and around to see if he finds anything. They are successful and he is confident again in her health. But he doesn’t say so because he is still afraid.

On their ride home, her arms are wrapped around him and she presses her cheek against his back. Her eyes are closed. Noa holds onto the comfort that is Mae.

The healer visits a week later. She still gives them a hard look but admires that Mae looks much better. Noa is pleased and Mae doesn’t like the elder’s look, especially when the ape asks them when they plan to tell everyone because they can’t hide it forever. 

They look uncomfortable and don’t respond…

Chapter Text

They're still trying to find their way…

Noa sits beside the lantern. The sun had set hours ago and he now works on a fishing net. Mae is laying in their nest. His back is to her but he can hear her… and he hears her sniffling a few times. He glances over.

She is gently tracing her still-flat belly.

He frowns. She looks sad. She is quiet but looks so sad. He sets his net down and crawls to her.

He sets his chin close by her hand. He huffs gently. "What's wrong?"

She shakes her head, but she still looks sad. She sighs quietly.

He watches her still trace lazy circles on her belly.

Then she looks like she's about to speak… but then she shakes her head again. 

He gives a soft grunt and reaches out, tracing her skin too. "Are you sure?"

She nods but doesn't look at him.

He knows her, but he doesn't make her. He remains there. His chin is close and he keeps tracing.

After a long while, he sighs softly and gently kisses her belly. He hears her soft inhale but chooses not to acknowledge it. He trusts her to speak when she is ready. 

He returns to his fishing net. He sews five more rows before she speaks. 

'I'm afraid it won't... work."

He hums a little confused. "... what?"

She gestures her belly. "This. What if... we're too different and... We can't create... That it won't... stay…"

He sets his net down again. He looks at her. He aims to reassure her. "Ape and human… are similar."

"What if they're not similar enough?"

He winces because he can hear her fear and worry and sadness. He goes to her again and rests his head close to hers. He gently traces her belly again. 

Their fingers occasionally brush. 

She sighs. "I just don't want to get my hopes up…"

"We… can hope. We should… hope."

She leans her head against his. She can feel a lump in her throat form "I don't think I'm strong enough to hope," she whispers. 

He makes a soft sound. He's hurting for her and their little life. He nuzzles her head. "I will help you. I will love… our baby… and if our baby… is not to be, I will love… the hope we had… and my beautiful Mae… just the same."

Mae looks at him. Her eyes shine with tears. "You're not worried?"

He is worried but remaining strong for her is what's best. His voice drops and he kisses her cheek. “I believe it will... work.”

He comforts her that night and she holds onto him like her world is about to end.

They wait for improvement. Anything that says they had done something right. Then it happened one morning. 

Noa noticed Mae's middle started to swell. It was just a small swell but it was there. He had made the cutest happy sounds of his awe, but then he was concerned in a flash and had her sit down. She smiled and giggled at him and told him she was feeling fine. He still insisted. 

They kissed and held each other. They were very much eager to share their love with this child.