Alligator Eyes

Chapter 19

His family rises with the sun, attracted by the smell of káva. Eri and Pom are the first ones through the doors, but they don't move from there, looking to Uteh for directive, but he doesn't acknowledge them, sipping his tea. Next is the chief and their mother, holding Wera. Wan does not come down. They are surprised to see Jinyoung, looking to Mark and then Uteh for answers.

"I've already said that they could stay" Uteh says standing and turning to address them.

"They?" The chief asks.

"Everyone we met plus Jinyoung's younger siblings"

The chief turns to Jinyoung then, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back with authority. "You said that you didn't know what your siblings would think about us, what changed?"

"Jaebum and I talked to them, explained everything that had happened, why'd we been gone so long, and they came around"

The chief squints at him, but Jinyoung doesn't squirm, he's probably been in worse situations. The chief looks away first to his wife, who nods, and then to Uteh. "You're really okay with this?"

"I said I was, as long as they understand that any actions they take against us will result in their death"

For the second time since Mark met him Jinyoung looks surprised, scared even, but he nods, straightening his back with confidence. "Yes, I understand that"

"Then there aren't and won't be any problems" Uteh says, staring right at Jinyoung. He nods again in response and that settles it.

Afterwards they walk together back to the temporary housing they set up for them. Mark thinking about what Wan said, despite wanting to forget it. Eventually he will talk to Wan about it and try to work it out, but today, he's going to focus on the good stuff. Like Jinyoung being here, Uteh's support, and his father's blessing.

"Why do you speak Chetka if you grew up in Tilopen?" Mark asks suddenly, knowing that if he thinks on it too long he won't ask.

"Oh, well, Edola is right on the border of the two countries, and it mostly speaks Chetka since Epsil is wealthier and it's easier for trade. I can speak only a little Linon, but not enough usually to get by. Jaebum's sign language though is Linon, so I have that"

"How old are you?"

"23"

Mark nods, looking out at the street ahead of them, mostly to avoid the way Jinyoung is looking at him. "What's your favorite color?"

"Gold, naturally, what's yours?"

"I like green"

"Cause it's the color of alligators?" Jinyoung jokes, running a finger along his shoulder, even though he isn't wearing the skins now.

"Because it's the color of life" Mark answers seriously.

"What's with all the questions?"

"It's just stuff I didn't know about you"

"Is there anything I should know about you?"

"That you don't already know?" Mark has to think about that, he hasn't tried to keep anything from him, but he isn't sure what he has told him. "I'm left handed?"

Jinyoung laughs. "I knew that, I've seen you build shelters two times now, and try to fight me, you hold your knife in your left hand."

"Then I think that's everything"

"I'm positive that it's not," Jinyoung takes his hand, stopping them and turning Mark to face him. "but I look forward to finding it all out in time"