"All the more reason I need you to remind me, and pull me back if I'm pushing. Don't need it to collapse a third time, right?" Because it had definitely collapsed a second while they'd been laying low in that motel room. Couldn't deny that.
A hand went up with Jack, all the help him keep balanced when he got up, try and get him less staggery- "Help me get the tarp situated and pick up pieces for the bag?" Crawling his way out after, already moving to start the breakdown of their little camp against the bike. "Don't push yourself too much either." Hand and all.
He sighed heavily, knowing that Gabe would push it if they were in trouble, and that was not something either of them needed. "Fine, I'll remind you to not be a complete jerk to your healing body," he replied, shaking his head slightly.
He nodded his head, taking it slow and small first to get the blood flowing again and let the pain medication kick in for his body. Otherwise, he moved around like an old man, helping with the tarp and bunching up their blankets as best as he could. He definitely used his broken hand more than he had the day before, but it felt like it was healing. He mostly hid his activities where he could, needing to move and help or else he might just collapse from exhaustion.
"Which also means-" There was a hand going through Jack's hair enough to ruffle it up real good, "-I reserve the right to do the same to you, even if not because you've got a healing popped arm." Out of love, really. Concerned as he was about Jack's hand, couldn't be helped other than that.
It was still slow going, taking the time to make sure that not even trash was left behind; keep it bundled to toss away for the next time they had to stop somewhere to recharge the bike or even stop at some rest-stop like before. Refolding some of the larger items they had gotten out to pack back in to the bag, calling Jack over to re-take stock. Double check what they still had going for them.
"Fine fine, you're going to nag me anyway," he replied with a sigh of exhaustion. He knew it was out of love, that both of them needed to it to feel like they weren't helpless in this whole endeavor.
He could fold things and gather everything together, but he wasn't capable of packing up things in their bag like Gabe could. Well, he could, but he knew he'd be yelled at for using his bummed hand recklessly. So he brought all the items he could to Gabe, double checked their items and swept the camp to make certain they left nothing behind.
He threw the stones that he had gathered for making a fire back randomly into the woods, letting them settle naturally. Then it was mussing up the camp to make it look like no one had been sleeping there, turning up leaves and kicking more into the area. Covering their tracks well.
"You know me so well," just a little dryly spoken, but it was true all the same. They both would out of that love and worry.
Worked together all the same in breaking down what little camp was made, Gabriel putting the bag back on the bike and securing it, keeping out that length of rope cord he had found. Watching Jack do his part- "How do you want to do the securing- once we're back near the road and on the bike?"
With their encampment hidden away and returned to nature, he approached the hover bike and knew it would be work to get it out of where Gabriel had found, but that was fine. They had accomplished far more since setting out on their own. Hell, even after reaching the hotel.
"Yeah, near the road. Let's not make getting out of the woods more complicated by strapping us together."
He gestured and headed back towards the road, making a bit of a path as he went. This was so much easier in daylight!
"Still early enough we won't be seen getting us fixed together." And that was also part of what would be more in their favor at least. Still, he hoped Jack did fall asleep during this stretch of the trip. Not just because it meant they could end up trading spots either.
Kept hold o the bike, turning it on just to make it easier to push it back towards the road, same as he had while pushing it down here in the first place. Following just behind Jack, still keeping an eye out from sheer habit.
Thankfully being in motion meant that his exhausted mind had something to focus on, though it was a slow and grudging. He nearly tripped on roots or underbrush several times, mostly for not sparing the attention to pick up his feet when necessary. He was sore and cursing by the time that they were heading towards the highway, but he was awake.
He stopped and stared out beyond the thinning tree line, but the vehicles were rare at this point. There wasn't a town or village for miles yet, so that meant few people looking for light to drive had gotten to this point in the road.
The bike was pulled up to where he could easily get back on to the road without quite breaking the treeline yet. Making sure the bag was secure before he was pulling himself up and over on to the seat. Had a hand held out for Jack, help him climb up behind him, the cord rope that was going to be used rested over one of his thighs.
"Yeah, I'm good. C'mon, let's get this done."
Jack tied to him so he could sleep without worry of falling off, and get a jacket over that so it wasn't noticed.
He stepped closer to see if Gabe needed any help being seated on the bike, willing to be support for that even if it might not be necessary. He took the hand and heaved his way up into position behind his bond and slipped out of his top layer carefully, mindful of the sling that he was going to need.
Then he tied himself to Gabe, aware it was dangerous if they were in a crash. His fingers weren't working enough for a secure knot, so he let Gabe do that and then his one good arm around the older man's waist.
Reyes got that knot tied after pulling a little at the rope to check it was all secure, and after that he did what he could to get that top layer of clothing back on Jack for him- "I know it's a pain, but don't forget your helmet, babe."
Already pulling his on, because all the better to hide identities while trying to keep as safe as they could.
Only once he was satisfied was Gabriel pulling back on to the road and driving off, speeding away from their campsite and heading the right direction. Was going to be a long, long trip and between there and the next stop no doubt several hours along the way he hoped Jack did get sleep.
He made a sound like a wounded animal, but he knew he needed the helmet, just... didn't want to force it on his head. He still did, lifting it and forcing it down, hissing as the sutures in his face pulled with a flare of hot pain. He almost regretted taking the helmet off last night honestly.
Flipping the face shield down and tugging his jacket tighter where it hid the rope that secured him to his bond, he let Gabe had at driving. Like the previous day, his head was on a swivel, checking behind them as they drove but the first vehicle didn't actually appear for an hour into the drive, and once they passed through farm lands on either side of the highway, that vehicle turned off.
Paranoia kept him awake the first two hours of the ride, but exhaustion overcame his vigilance when he lay his helmet against the spot between Gabe's shoulder blades. He hadn't meant to fall asleep, but between one blink and the next, he dozed off, his arm slackening around Gabe's waist.
He'd wake when he began leaning to one side, sliding across the older man's back. With a jerk, he'd come up again. Noting they were relatively safe, he curled tighter to Gabe's back and went back to sleep.
The helmet was a necessity for two very good reasons; safety in case there was somehow an accident on the road, and a very good way to hide Jack's identity. Painful as removing and putting it on would be, Gabriel know it would with the facial injuries still healing. Better to have it on than not.
Reyes kept mindful all the while of Jack against his back, especially once it was clear his bond had finally knocked out. Hoping it lasted, that he would finally get much needed rest and hope the road ahead was calm. Just passing a few other vehicles, but otherwise the stretch of road was empty. Maybe due to what had happened, and could only hope it was a good thing no matter his own prickling of paranoia.
He did focus when Jack jerked, almost waiting as he still continued down the road and- well. There was relief when he dozed off again, pushing himself further still, keeping an eye on the charge of the bike. It was several hours later that he was finally slowing, pulling in to a rest area that was not abandoned, but blessedly empty. Pulling near a recharge station there that was automated at least; no having to interact with anyone, at some far corner of the place.
Was careful when he nudged Jack, aiming to calmly stir him awake.
Jack managed to not do more than lean heavily on Gabe's back, unconsciously correcting himself when he leaned too heavily to one side, head shifting to the other shoulder in the process. His arm was loose around the older man's waist by that point, and he dozed his way through the next few hours without more than little jerks here and there.
He was so tired that he wasn't aware of their speed changing or the direction of the hoverbike off the road until Gabe nudged him. He was slow to wake, groggy and sore from the constant position. He blinked his eyes open and sat up again, peering around at their location and quite frankly having no idea where they were.
He realized they were at a charging station and looked up at the sky to determine the place of the sun, then nearly tipping off the bike, so... no go. He slid off on his own to his feet.
"Same as last time. You want to lay down a bit on the bench just there?" A gesture to said bench that was practically right behind Gabriel once he slid off the bike himself to get the charging started. Leaning against the bike once it was basically parked, arms folded loosely just under his chest.
Still kept his head tilted just enough away from security cameras, having identified them as he was pulling to the charger itself.
He shook his head a bit, and there was no way that he was struggling his way out of his helmet. He was horridly groggy, and that meant he was tottering around trying to wake himself back up again. God, he almost felt worse for the sleep he had gotten, but it had been necessary.
"Need to piss," he murmured, looking around for a spot that was hidden from the cameras for that. Thankfully it was all trees and the like around here. "You should take some medication. Probably due."
He found his way without incident to the edge of the automated charging lot and relieved himself. That was better at least.
"Once you get back from taking a piss, you're just as due for taking anything as I am."
Would be keeping an eye on Jack as well when he did pick his way to a place to relieve himself, habit. Make sure he was still in Gabriel's view just in case of anything, even if they were pretty much alone there due to the time of night. Not many traveled out this far this time or year, let alone night. They lucked out, even if it likely wouldn't last much longer.
Thankfully he didn't fall down or wobble too much as he finished up and made his way back to Gabe's side. He was looking beyond their current charging station to the road, as if waiting for more vehicles to be pulling this way. They were safe enough it seemed, but he knew better than to let his guard down. His and Gabe's safety depended on it.
He tried and failed to stifle a yawn, pulling his sutures painfully and shaking his head a little. He hoped that would be okay someday very soon. He was exhausted still, but he was far more functional now than a few hours before. And snuggly. He immediately settled into any part of Gabe that he could access.
An arm wrapped around Jack the moment that he did press in close, head tipped to just rest against Jack's for a moment, helmet or no helmet.
Gabriel had been digging out the various medications they had, getting enough for both of them to have the needed doses. That sports drink they'd been drinking from earlier already set out on the bike itself and easily grabbed by either of them. Held his other hand, offering a palmful of pills to Jack with just a little nudge against his side.
"Here, I'll grab the drink to swallow them down with and take mine too." Take them together so that neither of them would go without, had seemed like a fair silent compromise to him.
He momentarily slipped his good arm around Gabe in return, needing the comfort of his bond and how good it always was to be close. Their helmets rested against each other, but it was enough for him. He was content, even if he had to remove his arm to take the medications that Gabe had set out for them both.
He took them in hand, pushed up the face shield of his helmet and tipped his head back to pop them into his mouth. No point complaining as he took the sport's drink and drank an awkward sip to swallow his pills. He took a few more gulps to satisfy his thirst before passing it back to Gabe.
"You tired? You can nap while I keep watch if you want."
Some contact, soothe the both of them and just reaffirm what they knew; both of them were there, and they would keep each other safe. No matter the fussing and worry, they always would pull together again. Just was simple fact, how they worked and kept that bond strong that it could be leaned in to even if there was a distance between them.
Took his own palmful of pills when he was handed back the bottle, finishing it off since there wasn't a whole lot of it left anyway. Swallow down the pills and get some fluid in him to chase away thirst. Tossing the bottle after wiping down the top out of paranoia in the nearby trash.
Shook his head a bit. "Nah, I'll be fine. Can push for a while longer."
They might not always agree on how far the other was pushing themselves, but they cared very deeply for the other. These moments of pressing together, of simple contact was an easy reminder that they would always be there for each other. He relaxed more with this united contact here than he had when trying to sleep against Gabe's back. Nothing felt right with the world around him, but everything was right with the bond between them.
He lay his head against Gabe's shoulder, flicking his eye to the recycle bin that the drink container was thrown to. He closed his eyes and savoured their close contact. "You sure? There's a bench, though it seems to be in the sight of two cameras from what I could see."
Would even fight at times about it, squabbles here and there that could get heated, but in the end they always managed something and ended up where they needed to be. Needed a little time occasionally, but they still would always be there for the other. Through the bond, physically, or both. It's how they worked, and they needed it that way at times.
Hand rested against the back of Jack's neck, fingers creeping to get at skin between helmet and clothing there. That little bit more of a physical touch of contact. "Yeah, I'm sure. Might be easier to wait until we pull off to camp."
They were bonded, not machines to the will of each other. They could fight and bicker like any other pair of people, but they always found common ground again. On some level, he thought he always understand Gabriel, even when they were arguing, even if it might not make sense at the time when tempers flared or hurt set in.
He closed his eyes, savouring the contact and returning his arm around the small of Gabe's back. His hand stroked up and down, mindful of the older man's wounds under those clothes. "Do you need me to take a try at the bike? Might be slower than you, but I can if you want a break."
No one understood him better than Jack, and no one ever would, even when at times he didn't know how to express himself clearly outside of something physical. Words difficult but actions always spoke loudly for Reyes. Moments where words just couldn't do, and at times relied heavily on actions and movements, the need for quiet for one reason or another ingrained in him to that point.
No one could pull him out of his own head like Jack, either.
His thumb stroked along the back of Jack's neck slowly, letting his eyes close for a moment and just... relaxed. "No, no. I'm good. Want you to have more rest under your belt, let your hand rest a bit more, too. Get you driving instead soon enough."
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A hand went up with Jack, all the help him keep balanced when he got up, try and get him less staggery- "Help me get the tarp situated and pick up pieces for the bag?" Crawling his way out after, already moving to start the breakdown of their little camp against the bike. "Don't push yourself too much either." Hand and all.
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He nodded his head, taking it slow and small first to get the blood flowing again and let the pain medication kick in for his body. Otherwise, he moved around like an old man, helping with the tarp and bunching up their blankets as best as he could. He definitely used his broken hand more than he had the day before, but it felt like it was healing. He mostly hid his activities where he could, needing to move and help or else he might just collapse from exhaustion.
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It was still slow going, taking the time to make sure that not even trash was left behind; keep it bundled to toss away for the next time they had to stop somewhere to recharge the bike or even stop at some rest-stop like before. Refolding some of the larger items they had gotten out to pack back in to the bag, calling Jack over to re-take stock. Double check what they still had going for them.
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He could fold things and gather everything together, but he wasn't capable of packing up things in their bag like Gabe could. Well, he could, but he knew he'd be yelled at for using his bummed hand recklessly. So he brought all the items he could to Gabe, double checked their items and swept the camp to make certain they left nothing behind.
He threw the stones that he had gathered for making a fire back randomly into the woods, letting them settle naturally. Then it was mussing up the camp to make it look like no one had been sleeping there, turning up leaves and kicking more into the area. Covering their tracks well.
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Worked together all the same in breaking down what little camp was made, Gabriel putting the bag back on the bike and securing it, keeping out that length of rope cord he had found. Watching Jack do his part- "How do you want to do the securing- once we're back near the road and on the bike?"
Would be the easiest.
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"Yeah, near the road. Let's not make getting out of the woods more complicated by strapping us together."
He gestured and headed back towards the road, making a bit of a path as he went. This was so much easier in daylight!
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Kept hold o the bike, turning it on just to make it easier to push it back towards the road, same as he had while pushing it down here in the first place. Following just behind Jack, still keeping an eye out from sheer habit.
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He stopped and stared out beyond the thinning tree line, but the vehicles were rare at this point. There wasn't a town or village for miles yet, so that meant few people looking for light to drive had gotten to this point in the road.
"You good from here?"
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"Yeah, I'm good. C'mon, let's get this done."
Jack tied to him so he could sleep without worry of falling off, and get a jacket over that so it wasn't noticed.
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Then he tied himself to Gabe, aware it was dangerous if they were in a crash. His fingers weren't working enough for a secure knot, so he let Gabe do that and then his one good arm around the older man's waist.
"Let's drive."
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Already pulling his on, because all the better to hide identities while trying to keep as safe as they could.
Only once he was satisfied was Gabriel pulling back on to the road and driving off, speeding away from their campsite and heading the right direction. Was going to be a long, long trip and between there and the next stop no doubt several hours along the way he hoped Jack did get sleep.
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Flipping the face shield down and tugging his jacket tighter where it hid the rope that secured him to his bond, he let Gabe had at driving. Like the previous day, his head was on a swivel, checking behind them as they drove but the first vehicle didn't actually appear for an hour into the drive, and once they passed through farm lands on either side of the highway, that vehicle turned off.
Paranoia kept him awake the first two hours of the ride, but exhaustion overcame his vigilance when he lay his helmet against the spot between Gabe's shoulder blades. He hadn't meant to fall asleep, but between one blink and the next, he dozed off, his arm slackening around Gabe's waist.
He'd wake when he began leaning to one side, sliding across the older man's back. With a jerk, he'd come up again. Noting they were relatively safe, he curled tighter to Gabe's back and went back to sleep.
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Reyes kept mindful all the while of Jack against his back, especially once it was clear his bond had finally knocked out. Hoping it lasted, that he would finally get much needed rest and hope the road ahead was calm. Just passing a few other vehicles, but otherwise the stretch of road was empty. Maybe due to what had happened, and could only hope it was a good thing no matter his own prickling of paranoia.
He did focus when Jack jerked, almost waiting as he still continued down the road and- well. There was relief when he dozed off again, pushing himself further still, keeping an eye on the charge of the bike. It was several hours later that he was finally slowing, pulling in to a rest area that was not abandoned, but blessedly empty. Pulling near a recharge station there that was automated at least; no having to interact with anyone, at some far corner of the place.
Was careful when he nudged Jack, aiming to calmly stir him awake.
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He was so tired that he wasn't aware of their speed changing or the direction of the hoverbike off the road until Gabe nudged him. He was slow to wake, groggy and sore from the constant position. He blinked his eyes open and sat up again, peering around at their location and quite frankly having no idea where they were.
He realized they were at a charging station and looked up at the sky to determine the place of the sun, then nearly tipping off the bike, so... no go. He slid off on his own to his feet.
"...how long to charge?"
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Still kept his head tilted just enough away from security cameras, having identified them as he was pulling to the charger itself.
"You've got time to stretch your legs, too."
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"Need to piss," he murmured, looking around for a spot that was hidden from the cameras for that. Thankfully it was all trees and the like around here. "You should take some medication. Probably due."
He found his way without incident to the edge of the automated charging lot and relieved himself. That was better at least.
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Would be keeping an eye on Jack as well when he did pick his way to a place to relieve himself, habit. Make sure he was still in Gabriel's view just in case of anything, even if they were pretty much alone there due to the time of night. Not many traveled out this far this time or year, let alone night. They lucked out, even if it likely wouldn't last much longer.
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Thankfully he didn't fall down or wobble too much as he finished up and made his way back to Gabe's side. He was looking beyond their current charging station to the road, as if waiting for more vehicles to be pulling this way. They were safe enough it seemed, but he knew better than to let his guard down. His and Gabe's safety depended on it.
He tried and failed to stifle a yawn, pulling his sutures painfully and shaking his head a little. He hoped that would be okay someday very soon. He was exhausted still, but he was far more functional now than a few hours before. And snuggly. He immediately settled into any part of Gabe that he could access.
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Gabriel had been digging out the various medications they had, getting enough for both of them to have the needed doses. That sports drink they'd been drinking from earlier already set out on the bike itself and easily grabbed by either of them. Held his other hand, offering a palmful of pills to Jack with just a little nudge against his side.
"Here, I'll grab the drink to swallow them down with and take mine too." Take them together so that neither of them would go without, had seemed like a fair silent compromise to him.
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He took them in hand, pushed up the face shield of his helmet and tipped his head back to pop them into his mouth. No point complaining as he took the sport's drink and drank an awkward sip to swallow his pills. He took a few more gulps to satisfy his thirst before passing it back to Gabe.
"You tired? You can nap while I keep watch if you want."
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Took his own palmful of pills when he was handed back the bottle, finishing it off since there wasn't a whole lot of it left anyway. Swallow down the pills and get some fluid in him to chase away thirst. Tossing the bottle after wiping down the top out of paranoia in the nearby trash.
Shook his head a bit. "Nah, I'll be fine. Can push for a while longer."
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He lay his head against Gabe's shoulder, flicking his eye to the recycle bin that the drink container was thrown to. He closed his eyes and savoured their close contact. "You sure? There's a bench, though it seems to be in the sight of two cameras from what I could see."
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Hand rested against the back of Jack's neck, fingers creeping to get at skin between helmet and clothing there. That little bit more of a physical touch of contact. "Yeah, I'm sure. Might be easier to wait until we pull off to camp."
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He closed his eyes, savouring the contact and returning his arm around the small of Gabe's back. His hand stroked up and down, mindful of the older man's wounds under those clothes. "Do you need me to take a try at the bike? Might be slower than you, but I can if you want a break."
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No one could pull him out of his own head like Jack, either.
His thumb stroked along the back of Jack's neck slowly, letting his eyes close for a moment and just... relaxed. "No, no. I'm good. Want you to have more rest under your belt, let your hand rest a bit more, too. Get you driving instead soon enough."
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