Chapter Text
Jensen heard the crack of the mast breaking. What was left of the tattered vessel tossed on the stormy waves, and he clung to the side with all his strength. Most of his friends and colleagues had been tossed overboard, and only sheer will kept Jensen holding on for as long as he had. Watching one side of the ship start to crumble, Jensen released his hold and grabbed onto a rope to try and make his way over to a life boat. It wasn't going to do him much good, but Jensen needed to try.
Unlashing it and tossing it over the side, Jensen sent up a prayer that he'd be able to haul himself inside once he abandoned ship. He dove overboard and stroked his way to the small boat. A large piece of wood broke from the ship just as he grasped the small boat, crashing into Jensen's shoulder and the back of his head. He crashed into the bottom of the smaller craft, knocking his forehead on the side.
~~~~~~~~~~
Tallone walked the beach, looking for a likely place to dig up the clams that he loved to eat. He carried a flat rock that served to scoop up the sand in one hand and a basket he had weaved of strong reeds in the other. Suddenly, he stopped and cocked his head, scenting a strange odor on the light morning breeze. He knew only one other creature with such a smell- himself. His sharp hazel eyes scanned the quiet beach ahead of him and spotted a strange lump crumpled in the surf in the distance.
Setting his treasures in a safe place, he trotted toward the new object and stopped a few feet away, scenting and observing for any possible dangers. The creature did not move, but Tallone could smell the coppery scent of blood and the tang of salt and sweat. He scratched his head a little, natural caution mingling with curiosity.
When the creature continued not to move, Tallone crept into touching distance. Reaching out one long arm, he cautiously poked and prodded at the form. When nothing happened, he snuck closer, sniffing and poking. Finally, certain the creature would not suddenly attack, he rolled it over and hopped back with a startled cry. He had revealed a face, very similar to his own, eyes closed and blood trickling from underneath head fur.
Tallone scratched his head again, regarding the figure with intense curiosity and dawning happiness. He was not alone! Here was another one like him! And this otherone needed help. After renewed poking and prodding did not rouse the otherone, Tallone carefully picked up the creature and scurried back into the forest, toward his treetop lair.
~~~~~~~~~~
Rolling over, Jensen groaned when a variety of pains awoke in his body. His head throbbed mercilessly, and his shoulder burned. He moved his legs and found no pain there, releasing a sigh when he relaxed all of his muscles again. A couple of deep breaths later, Jensen tried opening his eyes, cursing slightly at the excruciating pins that stabbed behind his eyes. He slammed them shut again and moaned softly.
Tallone heard the otherone groan and scrambled inside from his perch on a tree branch. He watched as the otherone moved his legs, sighed and then forced his eyes open. Tallone caught a glimpse of green, before both eyes slammed closed again. Still, after a full day and night of treating the otherone's wounds without any real response, Tallone felt very encouraged. He picked up a tightly packed bunch of moss, dipped it in a gourd full of water and scooted forward silently, reaching out to dab at the wound on the otherone's head.
Jensen jolted hard when a wet, warm something touched his forehead. He opened his eyes and scrambled back slightly, a flash of brown and shadow hitting his vision, before he groaned and fell back down. Reaching up to his head, Jensen's hand collided with a large, obviously male hand holding what seemed, from Jensen's brief touch, to be a compress. He sighed and dropped his hand again.
Tallone crooned softly at otherone in the way his adopted mother, Abungu of the gorilla clan, did to calm him down. He put a hand around otherone's back to help support him and pressed the wet moss back against the wound. After a moment, he set down the moss on a leaf mat and poked gently into otherone's soft headfur to check the damage. Satisfied, he grunted a little and eased otherone back to the soft, leaf litter mat. Reaching behind him, he picked up a fragrant fruit and waved it under otherone's nose, trying to tempt him to eat.
When the grunting started, Jensen tensed, but didn't open his eyes. He fancied himself a brave, confident man, but the noises didn't mesh with any reality he knew and the splitting headache left Jensen weak and unsure of what he should do. The longer he stayed immobile, the less likely he would be attacked by who or whatever tended to him. Jensen wasn't too sure about the lifting and moving, slight whimpers escaping when his shoulder jolted, but he breathed out and rested once he was set down again. The faint scent of sweet and juice cause him to slit his eyes open in curiosity.
Tallone noticed that moving otherone's shoulder made him whimper, so he decided to check out the area, after he tried to get otherone to eat. He noticed the eyes open a little, a glimmer of green against pale cheeks. He grunted encouragement and tore the fruit in half, pressing a piece to otherone's lips.
The tender juice slide over Jensen's lips, and he flicked them out to get a better taste. Opening his mouth, Jensen nibbled carefully at the fruit, the exotic flavor bursting over his tongue. He ate as much as he could with whomever helped him turning the fruit as he finished a section. Finally, exhausted from the minor effort, Jensen laid back with another sigh.
Delight by the response, Tallone set aside the finished fruit and stroked otherone's side gently. He felt the steady heartbeat under his fingers, as he reached otherone's wrist and pinched down for a second just to enjoy the sensation. Then, frowning a little, he began to poke at otherone's shoulder, the one that made him whimper, trying to determine the damage. But he found the effort hampered by the odd outer skin of otherone. He tugged and pulled at this outer skin, until it suddenly ripped in his hands, causing him to cry out and jump back.
Jensen moaned softly when he was poked, the burn of the muscle flaring up. He slitted his eyes open slightly and saw the back of a head, with long, dark, brown hair. The image contrasted with his impression of capable, masculine hands, but Jensen closed his eyes again until he felt his shirt tear and heard a cry. He opened them, squinting into the light and trying to find the source of the noise. "Hello?" Jensen called in a hoarse voice.
The noise did not sound distressed, so Tallone approached again, keeping low to the ground in an unthreatening posture and repeating the noises a mother ape made to her young. He touched at the jagged tear in the outer skin and then pressed inside to the warm flesh that resembled his own. He prodded and pushed on the area, determining there was nothing broken there. With a pleased grunt, he ambled off to his stockpile of useful botanical remedies. Pulling out a mixture he used on sore muscles, he carried it back to otherone, sat down beside him, dipped his fingers in the cool liquid and began to rub it into the injured muscle. After a moment, the liquid heated up.
Closing his eyes against the harsh light, Jensen let the stranger tend to him. The human form and apparent knowledge left him feeling secure, though still wary about who had found him and where he'd ended up. The last thing Jensen remembered was trying to get into the life boat. Sighing quietly, he smiled slightly at the heating balm, the muscle soothing almost instantly.
Tallone noticed otherone's mouth tilt up, the way his did when he felt good. He smiled in response and began to try a deep rubbing with his fingers that seemed to soothe his own muscles when they hurt.
Jensen moaned softly. The massage was a combination of pleasure and pain, but it mostly felt good on the sore tissue. He could tell the touch was sure, gentle and hesitant, but every time Jensen tried to see his savior, the light caused his head to pound.
Tallone pulled his hands back when he felt the muscles were taken care of, but then frowned again, as he looked over otherone's body. The strange outer skin, which did not seem to serve any purpose, prevented him from telling if otherone was hurt anywhere else. He tapped his fingers on the floor of his treehouse for a moment, before deciding to remove all the outer skin, stopping if he seemed to be hurting otherone.
The tug of his shirt pulling from his body roused Jensen enough to try and help by rolling a bit. He didn't know exactly what the stranger was attempting and winced when he heard the fabric tear again. Jensen moaned softly when his shoulder shifted, but the cooling breeze on his skin left another smile on his face.
Tallone held the remains of the outer skin in his hands, lifting it to his face and sniffing at the strange item. He noticed that otherone seemed relieved to have the outer skin removed and felt proud of his decision. Setting the outer skin aside for later examination, he tugged at the stiffer skin covering otherone's lower body. This proved less easy to rip apart then the upper piece, and Tallone yanked in frustration.
When Jensen felt the tug on his pants, he frowned slightly. He wasn't injured anywhere else and didn't feel comfortable about having his pants removed. Reaching down with his free hand, Jensen tugged, pulling against the other person.
Tallone paused as otherone tugged on the outer skin, thinking he might know how to remove it. When otherone's efforts proved equally futile, Tallone picked up a piece of shell, with a jagged edge carefully sharpened and began to cut through the outer skin near otherone's left ankle.
Jensen sighed and settled back when he felt the tugging stop. It wasn't until he heard the ripping and felt air on his shin that Jensen realized his pants were being torn or cut from him. He opened his eyes and groaned as he tried to push to his elbow. "Stop," he said on a hoarse breath.
Tallone paused and looked into the dull green eyes. He reached out for otherone's face with his free hand, concerned that he might be hurting him. His fingers traced the soft skin around his mouth and cheeks, trying to discern if he was in pain. After a moment, he pulled back and began to cut off the outer skin again,
The touch was light, gentle and a direct contrast to the power in the hand that touched Jensen's face. He shook his head slightly when the man, for he could see now that the face did belong to a man, started to cut his pants again. "No, don't cut them."
The shake of otherone's head reminded Tallone of a leopard trying to get rid of flies. He paused in his cutting again, wondering if it was annoying otherone somehow. Carefully, he set the sharp shell aside and blinked a few times, hoping otherone would provide some clue as to what he needed.
"Do you have any water?" Jensen asked, smiling now that the cutting had stopped. The cool air really did feel nice on his skin, and he was glad for the massage and medical treatment, but Jensen worried about his rescuer's silence.
Tallone blinked at the strange sounds otherone made, completely unfamiliar to his ears. He returned the smile, however. He pointed at the outer skin still covering otherone's lower extremities and approximated an 'off' gesture.
Jensen shook his head; he liked his pants right where they were. "No, thank you. The pants are fine. But do you have any water?" He lifted his hand to his lips to mime sipping from a glass.
Tallone tilted his head to the side and then nodded, face going bright. He scooted over to his large gourd full of liquid and scooped out some in a much small gourd, before darting back to otherone. He held out the gourd, hoping he understood correctly.
Smiling his thanks, Jensen took the gourd from Jared's hands and lifted it to his mouth. He drank down the cold, refreshing water until the gourd was empty and then handed it back. "Thank you," he said with another smile, before he lowered himself back down.
Tallone moved his mouth, trying to mimic the sounds otherone made. He liked the timber of the noises, the smooth edges and deep middles. He wondered what it meant, if it meant anything at all. As otherone lay back down, Tallone picked up a grass blanket and covered him, tongue stuck out.
Jensen wrinkled his nose slightly at the pungent scent of grass, wondering at the primitive surroundings as much as he could with his brain still hurting. And then Jensen closed his eyes and fell immediately back to sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~
Jensen woke slowly, catalogued his aches and pains and was pleased to realize that only minor soreness and some stiffness remained. All was deathly quiet around him, so he opened his eyes and was grateful that his head didn't feel as though it were being split in half. He breathed steadily, in and out, slow and measured, before pushing himself to his good elbow. The area was empty, and Jensen struggled to his feet to get a look around. He was surprised at the primitive nature of the home he was in, looking up to see what he thought were simply tree branches over head. When he noticed the grass blanket and leaf pallet, Jensen furrowed his brow and blinked. .
Tallone swung easily through the trees, a bundle of fruit tied to his back. He ascended neatly on the branch above his home and peered in through the opening, Spying otherone on his feet, he crooned happily and leaped inside.
The sudden movement and sound made Jensen jump back and cry out in surprise. He blinked at the sight of the large, naked man in front of him. Jensen backed against one of the walls, his eyes wide.
Tallone leaped back, too, as otherone made a startled noise and jumped away. He stood in the doorway of his shelter, watching as otherone pressed into a corner, eyes wide. Scenting the air, he found a combination of surprise and fear. Taking off his bundle of fruit and setting it on a rock tablet to the side, he ducked himself into a smaller, non-threatening position and approached otherone, hands spread in the air.
Jensen blinked when the stranger crouched down slightly. He smiled a bit and pushed back off the wall. His heart was still pounding, but it was more from being startled than truly afraid. "Hello. Thank you for helping me. I'm Jensen. What's your name?"
More strange noises emitted from otherone's mouth, and Tallone cocked his head to the side to watch his lips move. He heard friendliness in the voice and smelled a change from startled fear to curiosity. Straightening back up, he gestured to otherone's head with his hand and made a noise of inquiry.
Touching his head, Jensen furrowed his brow at the sounds. "Can you not talk?" He rubbed the sore spot and then nodded. "Yeah, my head is okay." Jensen tilted his head and stared openly at the other guy, amazed at the slight differences in his physiology before Jensen realized he was staring at his naked body. He blushed and ducked his head.
Tallone tried to assimilate the different noises, smells and actions into something that made sense. Finally, he stepped forward and began to examine otherone's head for himself, wanting to be sure he was well. He cradled the fragile jaw in one big hand and rooted through soft headfur with his other, checking on the lump and cut. Satisfied that all was well, Tallone released otherone and walked over to his bundle of fruit. He untied the bundle held out a juicy pome to otherone, hoping he would approach of his own free will to take the fruit.
Jensen startled again when the man grabbed his head, but since his touch was gentle and inquisitive, Jensen stood still and let him look. He was beginning to realize that the man didn't understand him. Jensen's stomach rumbled at the smell of the piece of fruit, and he moved forward slowly to take it. He nodded his head and said, "Thank you."
Tallone blinked and leaned forward to sniff at otherone inquisitively. He wanted to know more about his new companion, especially about the noises he made and how similar he was physically. He eyes glanced down to otherone's outer skin, which still covered his legs, and pointed at it, growling in disgruntlement at not being able to see the rest of otherone.
The low rumbling noise startled Jensen, and he frowned at the obvious displeasure in the sound. "What?" Jensen asked. "Is something wrong with my pants?" Of course, seeing that the man wore nothing, Jensen surmised that maybe he really did think something was wrong. "What's your name?"
More strange sounds came from otherone, but he showed no inclination to remove the strange outer skin. Tallone scratched through his long mop of headfur, trying to work out what otherone wanted, gave up for the moment and held out the fruit again.
Jensen took the fruit in his hand and smiled. He bit into the fruit and moaned happily when the sweet juice exploded in his mouth. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, Jensen said, "Thank you" and then gave him space to move about the room.
Now that otherone seemed relaxed and munched on his fruit, Tallone felt emboldened to establish a friendly relationship with him. He stepped forward and pressed his nose into the connection of otherone's neck and jaw, scenting deeply of his odor. He let the smell imprint on his senses, so he could always use it to find otherone or track his movements.
Startling again, Jensen backed away and blinked. He was not used to anyone in his personal space and that couldn't get any more personal. "What are you doing?" Jensen asked, though he figured that he'd not receive a response.
Tallone scratched his face as otherone retreated, making sharp and slightly distressed sounds. Obviously, that was not something otherone's kind did or at least, not the way the apes did. So, food and drink offering was all right, but scenting was a no. Maybe otherone's kind groomed! That was always a good way to establish friendly ties between individuals. Tallone sat down and patted the ground in front of him, looking expectantly at otherone.
Jensen stared, watched the man sink down and pat the ground. He had no idea what was being asked of him, but wanted to see what the man would do. Sinking to the ground, Jensen continued to face the guy, which left him out of reach and not exactly where the man had indicated. He smiled and bit into the fruit again.
Tallone stared at otherone and then shrugged internally and moved to sit behind him, within easy arm's reach. He began to rifle gently through his headfur, pulling out bits of stuff, including sand and small leaf parts.
Freezing, Jensen let the man start pulling out things in his hair. He felt stunned at this turn of events, slowly realizing that he was dealing with a primitive human. Not only did he not speak, but he seemed to not behave in normal social ways.
Tallone smelled confusion, startlement, a bit of fear and the barest hint of heat in otherone's scent. Again, otherone did not seem familiar with common methods of interaction. But this time, he did not pull away, so Tallone continued grooming, making soft noises of contentment to let otherone know how much he enjoyed the contact. He also worked out a good deal of debris from the soft headfur, making it even softer.
Jensen let himself relax when he realized that there was no threat in the situation. He breathed out slowly and went back to eating his fruit, while his hair was picked through. He chuckled slightly, out of his depth in the whole situation.
Tallone perked up when otherone laughed, a pleasing sound to his ears. He mimicked the vocalization, hoping it pleased otherone, as well. Finishing the grooming, he began to massage through the scalp, trying to force out any last bits of flotsam or bugs that might be lurking.
The massage to his scalp felt good, and Jensen groaned slightly. He wasn't used to being touched quite so much, but his new companion seemed to want to touch him and be in his personal space. The man wasn't doing anything aggressive, and it was a relaxing way to recover. Jensen yawned suddenly, the exertion of being up, eating and being startled had worn him out.
The yawn grieved Tallone a little. He looked forward to showing otherone around the area and introducing him to the apes and other animals. Still, he did not want to further injure his new companion, so he pulled otherone back to lay against his chest. Tucking himself around the smaller creature, he gave otherone a place to sleep, and himself further opportunity to bond with and explore otherone.
Jensen stiffened when he was pulled him back, preparing for anything. Only nothing did. He was held close, comfortable and completely safe, against the man's body. It took him awhile, but Jensen finally fell asleep.
Tallone waited until otherone fell asleep and then carefully ran his fingers along otherone's torso, arms, shoulders and the outer skin of his legs. He paused around the groin, wishing he could see, but then skipped the area and rested his hands on otherone's stomach. He felt protective of his new companion and spent the entire time otherone slept on guard.
~~~~~~~~~~
Tallone stood on the edge of his shelter, breathing deeply of the warm, morning air. He scented some of the apes in a nearby clearing, a small herd of bushbucks grazed nearby and faintly, there came the scent of Gunju, the black leopard. Sighing contentedly, he turned toward the inside and beckoned otherone.
Jensen stretched, wincing slightly when his shoulder muscle twinged. It was mostly better, but he pushed more than he should. Tilting his head, he smiled at his companion, who he'd decided to call Jared. "What do you want, Jared?"
Tallone pointed to the ground, far below them, pointed to himself and then to otherone. He repeated the gesture a few times, hoping otherone would understand that he wanted to take him to the ground.
"You want to leave the shelter." Jensen smiled; he'd been wondering how long it'd be before they'd venture out. "Okay." Nodding, Jensen moved to Jared's side.
Tallone sensed agreement and understanding, so he picked up otherone easily in one arm, jumped out of the shelter, grabbed a vine and sent them swinging, hopping and bouncing to the ground.
Jensen cried out when Jared jumped to the vine. The swinging their way from the treetops all the way to the ground left him clinging to Jared and shaking. He was sure he didn't want to try it again soon.
Tallone planned to set otherone down, but he clung and shook and smelled like pure fear, and Tallone realized otherone had not understood what he planned to do at all. He cradled otherone like his mother ape had done to him as a baby and crooned a litany of comforting noises.
It took Jensen a few moments to realize they were on solid ground, but once he did, his heart slowed to a more normal speed. He continued to cling to Jared, the tremors finally slowing and then stopping.
Tallone smiled at otherone and gently set his feet on the ground. He continued to hold him close, just in case he needed steadying. Lifting his head, he made a series of distinct, loud calls for his mother.
The loud noises startled Jensen almost as much as the flight to the ground. He backed away slowly, keeping himself as steady as possible. "God, Jared, you're going to give me a heart attack." Jensen had gotten used to his one-sided conversations, but he wished that Jared could talk back.
Tallone let otherone go and turned as he heard his mother, Abungu, approaching. She ambled through the trees- a six foot five, three hundred pound, thirty-three year-old mountain gorilla. Tallone made an excited noise of greeting and ran to meet her, moving on two feet, as she rumbled toward him on all fours.
Jensen turned at the sounds, gaping while he watched Jared take off toward the huge ape who barreled down on them. "Jared!" he cried out, terrified that the only connection he had would be killed in front of him.
Tallone leaped into Abungu, who caught him easily and hugged him to her chest. She ran her huge hands all over him, chattering a stream of love. Tallone returned the gestures and noises, before tugging Abungu and pointing at otherone. Her eyes widened, nostrils quivering with fearful curiosity. Tallone shook his head and ambled toward otherone, gesturing for him to come closer with one hand, and calling to Abungu to follow with the other.
Blinking at the obvious show of affection, Jensen moved slowly toward Jared, heart racing while he kept the ape in his sight. He recognized that Jared seemed familiar with the ape, so he didn't feel too bad about keeping him between them. "Jared?" he asked.
The new sound otherone made seemed to be associated with him, so Tallone responded by bumping gently against otherone. He ushered otherone ahead of himself to where Abungu had tentatively edged forward. She sniffed at otherone and then looked back and forth between Tallone and otherone. Finally, she gestured to them both and indicated they were the same. Tallone nodded excitedly and hopped around.
Jensen stood stockstill while the ape looked him over, not entirely reassured by Jared's light bump. When Jared started jumping around him, Jensen just watched with wide eyes- keeping his head turned so he could keep the ape in his gaze, as well.
Abungu batted Tallone with a massive hand, nearly knocking him to the ground. He laughed, a sound picked up from otherone, and batted her back. She gestured to otherone and indicated he should not come near the other apes. Tallone nodded sadly, knowing Chimola, the silverback male of the group, would not take to otherone. He barely tolerated Tallone, much preferring when he stayed away.
Tallone moved back to otherone and took his hand. He led him away from the other apes and toward his favorite area to pick berries. Abungu followed, walking by Tallone's side and watching otherone closely.
Jensen let Jared lead him, holding on to his hand and stealing glances at the ape, while it stared at him. He didn't want to accidently challenge the gorilla, but it was unsettling to know that it watched him so closely.
Tallone released otherone as they neared the berry patch, which already had a herd of dikdiks munching on it. They ignored Tallone and Abungu, but fled at the sight and smell of otherone. Tallone knew they would return as soon as they realized he was of no danger to them and began eating berries off the bushes. Abungu joined him. Tallone grabbed a handful of walked over to otherone, offering them to him.
Taking the berries, Jensen smiled at Jared and thanked him. He ate the berries, enjoying their sharp flavor. Jensen kept himself to the side, so that Jared and the ape could spend some time together. They were obviously close, but he wanted to keep his distance from the ape.
Tallone did not like otherone to be so far away, especially with potentially dangerous animals lurking about, so he herded him in closer. After he ate his fill, he steered otherone to a patch of shade and urged him to sit. Taking a place behind him, Tallone began to groom his headfur, careful of his still tender forehead. Abungu wandered over to join them, starting to groom Tallone.
Jensen's world had gone from commonplace to unusual to downright strange. He was sitting in the jungle being groomed by a man, who was being groomed by an ape. Jared seemed more ape than human, and Jensen finally understood why. The scientist in him was fascinated at finding someone so primitive and yet not. He sat there quietly, letting them do what they would since neither of them was inclined to harm him.
Tallone hooked an arm around otherone and tugged him to rest against Tallone's broad chest, as he heard the hoofbeats of wildebeest approaching. The large animals knew him and Abungu, but the smell of otherone would make them nervous. And nervous wildebeest were dangerous wildebeest. Tallone ran his hands over otherone's sides and chest, trying to pass some of his scent on.
Relaxing against Jared, Jensen could feel a shift in the ground. It vibrated slightly, which he'd never have noticed had he not been spending so much time in silence. "What's coming, Jared?"
Tallone wrapped his arms around otherone tightly and held him close, as the large herd of wildebeest thundered into the clearing. He noticed the largest male glance over at them, sniffing at the unfamiliar scent. Tallone rumbled deep in his chest, a protective claim on his new companion.
Jensen stiffened in Jared's grasp, when the animals rumbled past. He'd never expected that animals were that close or would venture that near. Shaking slightly, Jensen was suddenly glad that he had Jared to watch over him.
Tallone watched the herd leader fixedly, until he dropped his gaze and trotted off. With a little sigh, he loosened his grip on otherone and slid his hands down until he reached the strange outer skin again. He tugged at this, rumbling in otherone's ear in entreaty to let him take it off.
Sighing when the beast finally ambled off, Jensen laughed at the way Jared tugged at his pants. He still wasn't sure what the problem with them was, but Jared was constantly fascinated by them. "What're you doing? Leave the pants alone."
Otherone laughed as Tallone tugged at the outer skin, but still made no move to take it off. Frustrated, Tallone took hold of one of otherone's arms and moved it to rest on Tallone's leg. He rubbed it over the skin and then lifted it up and placed it on otherone's outer skin. He moved the hand along that, then back over his leg and then over otherone's outer skin again.
Jensen took Jared's hand and put it back on his leg. He shook his head and then patted it in position. "No, Jared, your hands stay on your legs." Their lack of communication frustrated the hell out of Jensen, but he kept hoping that something would eventually break through.
Tallone frowned at otherone and then stuck out his lower lip in an obvious pout. He could not get otherone to understand him, anymore than he understood otherone. He looked back at Abungu, who rubbed her knuckles over his face in a gesture of affection. Sighing, he released otherone and headed for the berries again, leaving his adopted mother with otherone.
A bit worried when Jared wandered off, Jensen blinked at the ape and then smiled at her. He sat cross legged and marveled at the obvious affection between Jared and the gorilla.
Abungu gazed at otherone with soulful brown eyes before scooting closer to him and reaching out with a big hand. She knew that otherone was the same gender as Tallone, but he was also the only one of Tallone's kind that they had ever seen. So, she automatically assigned him the role of Tallone's mate. And since he was Tallone's mate, she was his mother, too. Her fingers brushed over otherone's cheeks.
Sitting stock still, Jensen watched the gorilla reach out for him. When her hand brushed his face, Jensen leaned slightly into the touch. She was treating him with affection, and Jensen was both touched and surprised.
Abungu petted for a moment and then stood back up, wandering over to be with her son. She had given birth to three little apes, all of whom had died or been killed. Of all her children, only the tiny, squalling pink one she had found in the strange, twisted bits of molten hardness had survived. He made her proud, and she was glad he had found a mate.
Tallone turned toward her and rubbed against her affectionately, before going back to round up otherone and herd him toward the river. Tallone wanted to swim and hoped otherone might like the activity, since the apes did not.
Jensen watched them interact and then got up when Jared beckoned. He walked behind the ape and in front of Jared until they happened upon the river. Smiling, Jensen walked toward the edge and bent to roll his pants up to his knees so he could wade without getting them wet.
Tallone flung himself into the water and splashed around happily, while Abungu found some shade on the bank. He watched otherone wade into the water curiously and then swam over to him. Without warning, he began to fling water at otherone.
Laughing at Jared's playing in the water, Jensen was caught off guard by the splashing. He tumbled back a few steps on a cry and then strode forward and used his legs to kick water at Jared.
Tallone jumped out of the water in happy, playful excitement when otherone began to splash back. He grabbed otherone's shoulders and pulled him under, letting go once they were both submerged.
Jensen spluttered when he came to the surface, treading water. He tossed his head and then splashed Jared again before diving to the right and swimming a bit down from their spot.
Tallone swam after otherone, keeping a wary eye out for crocodiles. They usually stayed away from this area of the river, but otherone did not know how to handle himself, so Tallone stayed close. He turned on his back and paddled next to otherone, watching him with happy eyes.
Stroking out a few yards, Jensen flipped onto his back and floated next to Jared. He smiled at Jared and reached out to touch the back of his hand before flipping to his stomach and stroking back toward the beach.
Tallone headed after otherone, pulling himself ashore next to his companion. He put a hand on otherone's waist and stopped him, holding him close. With his free hand, he pointed at something not far from them, something that looked like a log. And then it moved and splashed into the water, a seven foot crocodile.
Jensen scrambled further onto the bank at the sight of the crocodile. He definitely didn't want to be anywhere near that animal. He was surprised that Jared wasn't more concerned about it heading into the river and toward them.
Tallone kept his arm around other one protectively, watching the crocodile swim by them and continue upstream. He patted otherone's shoulder and then walked further up the beach, heading for a nearby rock in the sun. He turned to make sure otherone came with him and stuck close.
Following after Jared, Jensen settled onto the ground near their apparent destination. He didn't plan on going far from Jared, especially given the dangers that awaited him in this place.
Tallone shook his head in imitation of the way otherone did to indicate something was wrong. He reached down to tug gently on otherone and indicated he should get up on the rock.
A bright smile crept across Jensen's face when Jared shook his head. It was a small start, but Jared was beginning to match Jensen's movements with meaning. Jensen stood and pointed at himself and then at the rock. "Am I supposed to sit with you?"
Tallone patted the rock beside him and tugged on otherone, mimicking the pointing. He made a few soft noises of plea and tilted his head with wide eyes.
"You're going to kill me with those eyes, you know." Jensen smiled and nodded, then climbed onto the rock next to Jared. He leaned back on his elbows, closed his eyes and tilted his head back.
Tallone rumbled in satisfaction as otherone settled beside him. He sampled otherone's aroma and finding him relaxed and unafraid, Tallone leaned down to scent him more thoroughly. He held otherone with broad hands and brushed his face across his chest and neck, inhaling deeply.
Jensen laughed and stopped moving altogether. He still wasn't used to Jared grabbing and sniffing him. No matter how often it happened, Jensen was still startled by it. "Jared?" He touched Jared's shoulder gently.
Tallone lifted his head, face scrunched into a puzzled expression. This was a noise otherone repeated often and only at him. He opened his mouth and attempted to force his vocal chords to make the same sounds. "Ja- jay-jay-red?"
"Jared." Jensen smiled and nodded. He pointed at Jared, patted his chest and said the name again. "Jared."
"Jay-rad," Tallone repeated, face still confused, but curious. He scratched his mop of brown hair, pushing it around and then said again, "Jayrad?"
Jensen nodded again, smiling and patting Jared's chest. "Yes, Jared."
Tallone pointed at himself and said, "Jayred," and then poked otherone in the chest. "Jayred?"
Shaking his head, Jensen said, "No." He smiled, patted his own chest and said his name. "Jensen."
Tallone frowned and poked otherone in the chest. "Je- je- je..." His mouth pursed in annoyance at himself ,as he could not say the sound properly.
"Jensen." Jensen patted his chest, smiling and nodding at Jared.
"N...n... nse...n." Tallone grunted in frustration and lay down on the rock, mouthing the difficult sounds to himself. He kept his other senses alert for any signs of danger, but focused most of his attention on getting the sound right.
Jensen smiled at Jared's attentiveness, laying down beside him. He breathed slowly in and out, knowing that Jared would protect him. "Jensen," he said one more time.
"Jesen," Tallone said and frowned. "Jes-en. Je-n-sen. Je-n-sen. Jen-sen. Jensen." He beamed as the sound came out right. Then he thumped himself on the chest. "Jayred." And then thumped otherone lightly. "Jen-sen."
"Yes!" Jensen nodded and beamed at him. "Jared and Jensen." He pointed at each of their chests in turn.
Tallone blinked as otherone-Jensen?- yelled in what he understood was delight. He tilted his mouth up in a smile and nuzzled at oth- Jensen's face.
Laughing, Jensen let Jared nuzzle at him. He smiled and closed his eyes. They'd broken through a major barrier, and it made him happy to know they were making progress. Jensen had no idea where he was or how he'd get home, but he was glad to be making friends with Jared.
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