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[dadication]

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[dadication]

He needed that more than he would like to admit, that chaste kiss to the forehead. It warmed him as much as the new clothing, cutting through the cold of his body struggling to find a good temperature. He stood guard without making it seem like that was what he was doing, pretending to be looking at an object which could be mistaken for a mobile.

His eyes were constantly on the move, looking above to the windows to out the alley to back towards Gabriel as the older man changed. He could tell the moment that Reyes had to crouch for the sake of boots, could hear the change in the way he breathed. The benefit of this time of morning was very few people were out and about. No one looked down the alley either.

Once Gabe was packed up and seemingly ready to go, he shifted to pull the pack back on across his shoulders. They might not look like bombing victims, but they still needed to get out of town. "Where do you want to snatch a bike? Closer to the edge of town, or anywhere we can find one?"

[gr1m]

His breathing evened out a bit once he was up on his feet standing, the bit of pressure put on his chest from bending down in such a way had been a little hard for his lung. At least it was normalizing? Something.

Gabriel let out a huffed breath, looking out past Jack for just a moment- "I'd prefer closer to the edge of tow, but it might be more in out favor if we just snatch from anywhere we can find." No promises they'd even be able to find one on the edge of town. "The sooner we find one, the faster we can get the hell out of this town."

Could only hope it'd be in their favor anyway. Already moving to Jack's side so they could head out of the alley and get started on the next part o their running.

[dadication]

They no longer have the benefits of an oxygen tank to allow Gabriel to catch his breath again, and he was eager to keep the older man healthy when it came to breathing. It would heal in time, but it was still a rough go until then. They didn't have the time right now to just let Gabe rest.

"Let's at least make some progress away from this part of town and if an opportunity presents itself, we take it, okay? The less time we stay in one place like this, the better." That was true that the faster they were on the road, the better it would be. They just had to be smart about it.

He headed out with Gabe, but he allowed the older man to have the lead when it came to choosing the path that they would be traveling. Instead, he focused more of his attention behind them, covering their six. It was early enough that the morning rush wasn't in effect yet, but they might be cutting that short soon enough.

[gr1m]

"Alright." Could compromise to that, so long they were going to take a bike the moment they saw a chance to; the faster they were out of here the better, but there was still the need to keep moving even before that. Bike was going to be better than a car was the only point he was going to be stick with.

For the most part Gabriel kept a hand on Jack, wanting to make sure he was close, and all the better to just seem like two people out early as hell. Hand held tight, and maneuvering through back streets and alleyways as needed. Safer for the both of them.

It was only when they got closer to the better part of town they'd not be so easy to sneak about- "You doing okay still?"

[dadication]

Jack kept an even unhurried pace, not wanting to draw attention to them. In this part of town, it was easy to blend in, just seem like they were going from point a to point b without looking for trouble. Maybe it helped a bit that they did look like they had already been beaten to hell and back, limiting the threat people might think they were.

He absolutely stayed close to Gabriel, walking at his elbow and keeping his head down even if he was listening to sounds and people going about their early morning lives. He made no dispute on their path, and by the time they had walked to 'nicer' areas of town, his energy was definitely starting to flag.

"I'm hanging in there. No time for a rest just yet," he murmured, looking over at Gabe to assess him. "You're doing alright?"

[gr1m]

Starting to near the time of 'now or never' if they were going to have the energy of going through with stealing a bike and getting out, still needed to get to a less crowded area. Still early enough, the time frame was just... shrinking.

"Yeah, doing fine. We're going to have to make a move soon or we might not be able to." Too many people, whatever they could snatch just not somewhere they could get it and go. Too many factors added together that just meant more trouble for them than it might be worse- "Parking garage a block or two from here.

"We may have to take a look in there and see if we can get out what we need and go."

[dadication]

He understood the window of opportunities would close and they would be left waiting for the quiet time of the day when rush hour was over and people were already at work. Or worse, they would be stuck waiting until nightfall. He knew that wasn't wise for either of them.

"We'll hit the parking garage, see what's there. If there are two bikes, we should switch the license plates to buy us a bit more time," he reflected as they continued to walk. Their energy would flag faster now than ever. They had to be careful with themselves.

"We should take more pain pills too. Been long enough I'm sure both of us are starting to ache."

[gr1m]

"Switch and scratch some bits of it off at whatever first stop we end up taking." Make it that much harder, looking off for a moment in thought- "Maybe hit up a place that makes fake plates and go with that after. Toss some paint at the thing-" Maybe literally? "So it can at least last us as long as we can take it before needing to ditch the thing," and it honestly sounded like he'd either had to do this or thought about doing it before.

With how Blackwatch worked both were high up there in the possibilities section of things Gabriel Reyes had done.

Looked back at Jack then, eyes shifting towards the bag- "Yeah, we probably should."

[dadication]

And maybe Gabriel had taught him a thing or two about slipping away and throwing others off of his scent. "I don't think we'll have time for fake plates to be made, not if we want out of town fast," he remarked, but he was willing to consider it once they were away to the safehouse and had time to regroup. "I want to put as much distance as we can between us and this place."

He nodded and swung the pack from his shoulder carefully, unzipping and digging in one-handed until he had found the two most important pill vials they had in their position, both of them running low. He had to offer both to Reyes. Child-proof bottles meant he couldn't open them on his own.

He zipped the bag back up and slipped it back into place. "Next town over, we should get more. Or under the cover of darkness." He didn't want either of them too sore, even if the ache was nearly constant no matter what they took.

[gr1m]

Honestly? Part of him would always be proud about that, because it was useful, and was definitely going to be useful for the both of them now. "What I figured," get out of town first, look in to possibilities later. Either be that or ditch this bike ASAP and hope they could get another to keep themselves under the radar. Sometimes it was easier to get a fake plate than steal an entirely new bike. Distance would by their only ally at the moment.

Gabriel was popping open those bottles and pouring douses for the both of them, tucking the bottles away for a moment so he could hand Jack his, already downing his dry. Would help get both bottles back in to that bag with a careful tuck.

"Whichever comes first or easiest. Take a minute before heading in to the parking garage, okay?" Then it'd be right back to business.

[dadication]

Jack took the pills offered to him without complaint, downing them dry as well. They couldn't stop for long, probably were lingering too long here as it was. No, this was going to work, and they were going to find a motorcycle in that parking garage. People were either working or glued to the holovid watching Overwatch burn to the ground and body extraction.

He tipped his hip so that Gabriel could return the bottles to the pack, and he reached up to gently scratch his cheek. He ached. It was shameful that he was already tired, but he nodded his head at the instructions.

"You go in first so it doesn't look at suspicious. I'll wait a few minutes and follow," he remarked. Gabriel had two working arms and a better working knowledge of what they would be looking for here. He would bring up the rear, try to keep them as safe as possible.

[gr1m]

"There's sometimes a section for just bikes. Space saving shit-" Talking as he made sure Jack was situated, thinking out loud a little and just making sure the both of them were on the same page. "Clearly marked- look for that if I'm not in sight when you duck in, because that'll be exactly where I'm going to be headed."

Leaned and lingered, just a few extra seconds, all to brush a careful kiss to Jack's cheek.

After that moment Gabriel was heading off- "Luckily it can be easy enough to hot-wire a hoverbike." While still close enough to whisper that, and then he was heading inside of the parking garage, giving sighs a quick glance and heading the direction they would most likely find what they were going in for.

[dadication]

"I imagine this will be the case here too, yeah," he agreed, knowing they needed a plan both could follow. They easily managed to slip onto the same page, always had, but they were tired and hurting and not on their game right now.

He leaned into the kiss, almost desperate for it and a sigh was exclaimed quietly, settling him.

Jack watched Gabriel go, lingering in the shadow of the alley until the older man disappeared into the parking garage. He mentally timed about five minutes before heading down that way, keeping his pace slow and hunched as if he were very tired. He made certain to enter on a different path from Reyes, slipping into the parking garage and pretended to fish around for keys as he headed for the area where hoverbikes were most likely located. He found it after a few minutes of slow walking and Reyes there as well.

He was breathing harder than he should, but there was comfort finding his bond here. Well-needed comfort. He didn't like being apart right now. "Find something worthwhile?"

[gr1m]

Had found the bikes, moved around and at least made sure to avoid whatever security cameras he could. Easy to find when you knew what to look for and to avoid. May have had to cover a few up around the bikes, but did it without showing himself.

Was found kneeling behind a few of the bikes—

"Yeah, and I also found a wrecked and covered bike. Going to use the plate off of that, do a little switcharoo to buy us time. No one will think to look at the broken one being stored out of sight." Fortunate for them, very fortunate, and he wasn't going to say that out loud out of some ingrained paranoia that was spiking high at this point. "Have that much extra time to get that distance between here and us."

[dadication]

He was keeping a weathered eye out for cameras, noting that the ones closest to the bikes and the exit out of this garage had all been covered expertly. He moved over to where Gabriel was working on replacing some plates and stood guard for a lack of any other job to do. He couldn't assist with one hand, and they needed to make certain they weren't going to be caught either.

"How long do you need? I'll make a few passes around to make certain that no one is coming your way," he remarked. He could stroll and keep watch. "Guess we don't have means to drag another battery along, huh?"

[gr1m]

"Fifteen minutes because of all the screws," and the fact he was using some bent metal piece of something to undo all of them. No screwdriver on hand, but he was still going about it easily enough. Likely another damn trick he'd had to learn out in the field- or maybe he knew how to do it from being a dumb and daring kid.

At least he had the plate off of the one they were taking, just had to get the one taken from the wrecked bike on- "I don't think we do. This one's at full right now at least, we may have to risk using a station down the road." Keep them going as long as they needed it.

[dadication]

"Alright," he replied and shifted off to put himself at the best place for a good vantage point. He could see out of the garage, up the path to the car levels and over towards the exit. It was still early enough and people were still sleep deprived enough that they meandered in and headed for their vehicle.

No one came for the hoverbikes. He kept a weathered eye on activity, but he was also listening to Reyes. "The break to charge the battery might do us both some good. Maybe you can get a nap for thirty minutes or so." With Reyes doing the driving, it was important his bond rested where possible.

After all, he could just doze against Gabe's back.

[gr1m]

Gabriel worked as quickly and carefully as possible, getting the plates swapped, focusing on it just so they could get out of here without much trouble- "Thanks, Jack." Meant it, because there needed to be a look-out, and all the more usefulness for his bond.

Never wanted him to feel useless.

He used the bike itself to stand back up, painful and unsteady as the movement was. He was sure he could drive, no issue there. Be a nice break from being on foot. Hopefully. "While you keep watch or nap with me? Could pull off somewhere after charging it after all." Some patch of woods, use the bike to make a makeshift tent wit the tarps they had on them.

[dadication]

He nodded his head, aware that they needed a look out, and it was a position that he was good at. It also gave him something to do while Gabriel worked, let him study the area and know that he was doing his part for their safety.

He watched his bond stand, looking sore and unsteady, and he almost moved over to fuss. However, he knew it wouldn't be helpful. "I'll keep watch. You'll be doing the driving, so you need the most rest. After all, I can just sleep against your back while we go."

He didn't disagree that pulling off and hiding in the woods would be fine for resting as well. They would need time to actually lay down he figured. Maybe plan to get as far away today and as much in the night then rest during the day. "We just need to get far."

[gr1m]

"We're stealing a pair of helmets." Already pulling the bike away from it's station, checking everything over slowly. Making sure it would run fine and it was fully charged. They could get far on it, and hell wearing helmets would further hide their identities, for the better. That much less of a chance of them being recognized.

Reyes gestured for Jack to come on over, "We'll both be needing the rest at first, even if you'll be dozing off against my back while we're on the road." Both needed to rest- and they needed to actually eat sooner rather than later on that same train of thought.

"Far is good."

[dadication]

Jack looked up and down the laneway and then out beyond the parking garage to the roads that they would likely have to take. Once he had the general all clear, he eased away from his position and walked his way over to Gabriel with their new stolen hoverbike and sighed heavily. He would feel better when they were out of town he told himself. "All clear outside so far."

He agreed that helmets would be necessary, but they weren't around here so far. Hoodies were going to keep them until they could grab helmets, hopefully with full face shields. God knew he would struggle to get one on, but it would be the best opportunity for masking their identity.

"And we both know we should take watches when on the road," he pointed out. They were wanted men by whoever wanted them very dead. He moved to mount the back of the bike carefully, sliding back to make the most room for Gabriel to take the driver's perch and arranged the bag a tad more comfortably across his shoulders.

"We can discuss watch schedules when we're out of town, okay?"

[gr1m]

They'd get the helmets when they could, even if it was stealing them from other people stopping to charge their bikes. Figure something out.

Gabriel carefully moved himself on to the bike, leg hauled over and all, backing up the rest of the way on food. Pulling back the part needed to get at a bit of the wiring he needed to get the thing started. "We're both healing, allowed to worry about you as much as you're allowed to worry about me," not even arguing, just stating the fact and- well. Gave Jack that much too, didn't he? "You're right though."

"Yeah, hold on." Motor cranked to life, and once Jack was positioned to hold on to him? Gabriel was getting them going, not gunning it because they needed to get out of here first. Only once they were out of the parking garage would he be gunning it.

[dadication]

He used the only hand he really had available to assist Gabriel onto the hoverbike, setting a hand on his back as Reyes found a proper spot. Then he moved forward so he could be covered from the wind but more settle their hips together where it seemed like it would be the most stable. His injured arm was kept against Gabe's back still in the sling.

"I know," he agreed. They would always worry after each other. "You're doing the long-haul work here, so I get to worry more. I'm just along for the ride." Though, he had no problem taking a turn at the bike, but it would be one handed which might be an issue on sudden stops and turning.

He tipped his head so he could rest his cheek on Gabe's shoulder as they shifted into motion and once out of the garage, they were on their way. Hopefully to a safe place. To recuperate and digest fully what had happened.

[gr1m]

"Hope you're ready for a bit of silence outside of the wind. Squeeze me if you need me to pull over before we get out to where I say we need to cut for a break, okay?" He did brush a hand carefully across Jack's cheek before both hands were on the handles and they were off.

Was going to be a long ride that no doubt would get uncomfortable, but at least they were getting the hell out of there before the early morning traffic got bad. Head off towards the more forested area, where city went to smaller dotted towns. More trees than buildings, and for their luck it was a smooth enough ride on that hoverbike.

Some hours later he did finally pull off the main road to some side one where he could pull off and stop. Getting them off in to some spot that looked like some abandoned rest area. Battery was still good, but they needed to get up. Stretch legs and.. well. Try and eat a little, take more meds.

[dadication]

He would suffer for the sake of getting out of town and putting the miles behind them. Reyes knew what he was doing, and he bunkered down behind the other man, even if he had to keep a hand up to keep his hood from blowing off of his head as they traveled.

The pack on his back grew heavy over the journey, weighing on him and stiffening up his shoulders, but he never complained. As much as he would have wanted to, he didn't sleep either, didn't even so much as close his eyes for more than blinking. No he kept a weathered eye on the traffic following or passing them or even ones they passed.

He perked when Gabriel took them off the road, and he expected it was going to be a pee break. He was so stiff staying in the same position he struggled off of the bike and almost literally had to crawl out from under the weight of the pack.

"I'll be quick..." He tottered off to the bushes to relieve himself and thankfully it was something he could do on his own given he was wearing sweats. Ah yeah... still pissing some blood. He hissed and shook his head but finished up and shuffled back the way he had come. "Need me to take a turn?"