Alligator Eyes

Chapter 18

He's woken in the middle of the night, moon hanging overhead, by someone shaking him. Gently at first, at then roughly so that he thinks it's Uteh, who must have come looking for him when he didn't come back to the house.

"Mark, wake up, you'll catch a cold out here"

He almost doesn't recognize the voice, he almost feigns deep sleep hoping to be left where he is, but a second later he lifts his head. Cautiously he opens his eyes, just a peep. He must be dreaming, it's the only explanation.

"Seriously Mark, what if you froze to death?" And it really is Jinyoung. Jinyoung taking off his long leather coat and putting it over Mark's shoulders. Jinyoung shaking his head and tsking like he's talking to a child. And Jinyoung placing a small, barely there kiss on his forehead.

"Jinyoung," Mark says in amazement, lost for words. Others are behind him, so many others and he can't help but wonder if he's being robbed. "Are you robbing us?"

"Wow," Jinyoung chuckles. "I guess I deserve that, fair enough"

"We are hoping you'll let us live here, actually," He recognizes Jackson's voice. "Even if Jinyoung seemed totally ungrateful before"

"Hey—!" Before Jinyoung can turn to reprimand Jackson, Mark grabs onto his shoulders, pushing up to kiss him.

"Why are his eyes like that?" A small voice asks.

"He's full of magic" Jackson answers, as Jinyoung is a bit busy at the moment. Mark would roll his eyes at Jackson's cheesy explanation if he wasn't busy.

Mark pulls away first, wrinkling his nose. "You stink"

"Gee thanks," Jinyoung sniffs his shirt, gagging a little. "it's been a long trip"

"Then lets go to the baths, they'll be empty now, plenty of room for all of you" Mark stands, handing Jinyoung his equally smelly jacket back. "And then we'll find someplace for you to sleep"

He hugs Jaebum and then Jackson, BamBam, Youngjae and then Yugyeom. He only waves slightly to Jinyoung's other siblings, as they're standing a bit away, staring at him oddly.

"This way to the baths, follow me" He takes Jinyoung's hand though, pulling him behind him.

Jinyoung only stays behind him for a moment, stepping up and bumping shoulders with him. "Were you waiting for us?" He jokes.

"I was just looking up at the stars" Mark shrugs and then they're reaching the baths so he shows them where to put their stuff and leaves them for a moment while they bathe.

While they do, he walks out down the dark streets, trying to remember which houses are empty. He thinks they must be further out of the city center, although there are some people who live closer to the farm land leaving a few of these places empty. He just can't remember which ones. He picks a house at random and parts the curtain in the window looking in at the sleeping people, he smiles apologetically and moves on.

It takes him more tries than he would have liked to find one empty house that isn't too far away. He goes in and wipes off some dust, lighting a torch and setting in the table sconce. He can get bedding from the palace for some temporary beds, he'll just need help to carry them. With that done, he walks back to the baths to find them dressing.

He takes them to grab the bedding first and then out to the house. It's going to be small for the ten of them, but it is only temporary, he assures them. Just a place for the night and then tomorrow when he has more help he can find them more places to stay.

He wishes them a goodnight and goes to leave, but Jinyoung grabs his arm.

"Can we talk? In private?"