TAL belongs to Kang Im.
This little one-shot came to be thanks to 'nobody yet'. I hope you and the rest enjoy it!
Not so easy
He was just there, the red-haired child. Jack just couldn't leave him like this, alone in the darkness of the cave that he inhabited. Without changing his expression he lifts the child into his arms, weirdly enough the infant Chachaoong wasn't at all affected by his presence.
How long has it been since he saw someone, since he touched something else than cold stone? The child wasn't sleeping or crying, just watching the King with curious eyes. Out of options, the King takes the child with him.
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Jack watches the little child, Chuh-Yong, crawl around. Being near the little one has become normal for him, he can't picture his home without him anymore. Chuh-Yong stumbles up to him and gives him a hug.
Jack leans down and ruffles the kids hair. To him, this child is very precious, is this what the humans call 'Family'? He doesn't really know, a family is something a Chachaoong doesn't normally have. But... it might not be worst.
The little one looks at him like he's expecting something. His red eyes look straight at Jack and the King stands.
„Are you hungry?" He wonders and the child hugs him tighter.
Looking at the childs smile he can't help but feel something tug at the corner of his lips, he hasn't felt like this in a long time. No, he hasn't felt anything in a long time.
„Then I should get you something. Come"
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„J-jeck, Jac, Jeqk... Yek a' Lottern" The child calls, running around the cave, trying to get Jack's name right.
The King observes him silent, making no move to correct the child. He can talk just fine for a kid so young but Jack's name seems to be an obstacle the kid won't master anytime soon.
But for someone like Jack, who has no experience in raising children, he manages to teach Chuh-Yong rather well. To get him to walk wasn't necessary as Chachaoongs can do it from birth but teaching him to read and write was.
It's not like Jack can't do it, but while observing the child he tends to forget those things. To him time is everlasting, the sun doesn't shine deep in the cave but ever since the child came he realizes that time does pass and that he isn't alone any longer.
He sits up and goes to Chuh-Yong, picking him up „Let's go"
The child squirms „Can walk alone! Where we going?"
Something tugs at his lips again „Outside. We're going for a walk"
Chuh-Yong can't always be in the cave, Jack knows that, that's why he will take him outside for now and teach him things he won't learn while being in the cave. Something is warm inside him as he watches the Chachaoong child happily question the many things outside.
Bit for bit, Jack explains the plants and animals to Chuh-Yong who looks at him with big, eager eyes. The bright world around them illuminating them, illuminating the Kings heart, the child being part of that which illuminates him.
Chuh-Yong hugs Jack and gazes at everything around him. A river must be flowing nearby, birds chirp a melody and the wind blows gently, a truly peaceful atmosphere settles around them, a truly peaceful world.
Not long after, the red-haired child is soundly sleeping without once letting go of Jack who is holding him with a soft expression. For once, a small smile graces his lips.
This child was his family and he will protect it.