It was a soothing night with the pitter-patter of rain hitting the roof and the window glass, slow yet steady, creating a calming backdrop to the sound of your voice as you read from a book to him.

In the sanctuary of his room of the attic of the Rodman's home, Caesar was cuddling with you in the comfort of his bed, keeping you warm with his thick pelt, an arm wrapped around you, holding you close as he rested his head against yours on the pillows cradling you two. His gaze was relaxed, half-lidded as he glanced from the pages of the book to your face, taking in your features as you focused on reading to him.

It was never acknowledged, this thing between you two. It couldn't be, really. Not with Caesar being an ape and you a human; but while it was just you two, hidden from everyone else's gaze, he could just... be with you. Nobody was here to judge the way your bodies fit together perfectly, like puzzle pieces. Nobody was here to scrutinise their conversations and actions. No, it was just them, safe and warm and happy.

Caesar looked at his human, the person he'd claim as his mate if it wouldn't get you two in trouble; somedays, he cursed his heightened intelligence and sapience because if he didn't have it, he wouldn't be feeling this way. But then he wouldn't have you at all. His first friend, his best friend, the person he–

"I... love... you." He uttered in your ear softly, eyes focused solely on you as the rain continued to fall outside, as the world slept on, unaware of the profound, intimate moment happening between two species.