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[dadication]

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[dadication]

He needed Gabe's support in more ways than the obvious. He kept close, even if it wasn't necessary once he was done stretching, but there felt like comfort and safety sticking against Reyes' side as they ate what they could. He even took the antibiotics and pain medication obediently, knowing it was definitely necessary.

"Let's hope our luck holds across the board." They were going to need it to get out safely and with detection. He also didn't want either of them to have to scuttle to the woods for sudden bathroom breaks while on the road.

Now that the food was done, he reached out and took Gabe's hand in his own and tugged the older man along so they could walk together around the small open area to stretch their legs and work out the kinks of their bodies. "Next stop, we should see about getting some necessary supplies."

[gr1m]

"And try not to jinx ourselves in the meantime." There was a lot ahead of them, and not just between where they were now and the bunker. A lot of time ducking in to the woods to camp for a night- or maybe they should camp during the day and move at night. Hell, either way they would have to take time for the both of them to rest.

To do what they were doing now, too. Stretch legs and soak up comfort while changing the time to be still.

He followed with that tug, keeping hold of Jack's hand even if his steps were still a little stiff at first. Had to get that blood pumping through his legs again. "Can see what they've got in whatever convenience store might be attached to the service station."

[dadication]

"We've been lucky so far. Let's hope it holds," he agreed. He knew they would need to rest, especially with his plan of dozing against Gabe's back for the ride and then keeping watch at rest stops was not going to work out. He wouldn't be able to sleep, so they were going to need to rest together, even if it came with watches. Just being close and quiet together would be enough for him.

Sometimes it was a curse being such a light sleeper.

He turned his head to watch Gabe walk, making certain his bond was alright with a little stretching. They must have looked like two very old men tottering along as they were, making circles in the limited space that they had in the break of the forest. "Going to be expensive there. Do we have the funds?"

[gr1m]

"Yeah." They'd manage, even if a good bit of that was because they had to. No other choice than to find some way to manage in what they were able to pull together and go with. Get to a place where they could pull together a bit more and... try to take care of themselves, of each other.

Gabriel did his best to stretch out his legs, even if he had to stop Jack a few times and physically get his legs bending with a pull of one wit his spare hand. Move to sit on the balls of his feet down low in a squat. Whatever he could do to feel less stiff. Still moving in that circle when he felt like he could walk in it again with the man.

"Hopefully- and if nothing else, should there be an ATM or something I can pull from a spare account."

[dadication]

Jack stayed with Gabriel the entire time, never leaving his side and never letting go of his hand unless it was absolutely required. He waited for the necessary stretching, just glad to be active. He eased into a crouch next to his bond, intent on keeping close. It was hard to rise again for him, struggling up from both fatigue and injuries to his legs.

"Pain medication is probably the priority," he said. They would run out sooner than later, and he didn't want Gabriel in more pain if they could prevent it from happening. Antibiotics were another can of worms they would have to deal with later. "Maybe grab a soda or something. Liquid calories might be better at this point."

[gr1m]

It was helping, Jack sticking close, even as Gabriel helped him stand back up each time, trying to take some of the pain off him if he could. His own legs ached, but he didn't doubt his bond's pain a bit. More mindful of it than his own; as usual.

Nodded a little. "Yeah, think we've got more antibiotics than pain, so we can coast a little on those," agreeing that pain meds needed to be the priority. Worst came to worst they'd just steal it. Needs must and all. "Just stay away from the energy drinks. Soda'll do, maybe some sports drinks." Electrolytes and everything.

[dadication]

Their walk around seemed to help when it came to some of the stiffness, but that came on the heels of being fatigued. He disliked that he tired out so quickly, but it was to be expected. The healing that they needed to do required energy and rest, neither of which they had too much time for right now.

"We're going to have to take like eight common pain killers at a time," he remarked distastefully. Never disliked their metabolism much, but it could be a nuisance sometimes. "Like I need that much caffeine. I'm looking for straight up fuel and easy sugar." Maybe a little something to keep him awake. "You want me to grab you a sport's drink when we get there?"

[gr1m]

Honestly, part of Gabriel hoped that Jack did somehow manage to doze off on the next stretch, at least get some needed rest even if not in the most comfortable of positions. Be able to keep an eye out for the both of them all the same, and make sure Jack was still against his back securely.

"Best make sure to stock up on a lot then," and hope he had the mind to have a lot of the stronger shit stockpiled in the bunker they were headed. Reyes was the type of man to prepare for the worst, and often time that included some side of medical. Just had to sort of rotate stock to make sure what was there wasn't expired to the point of being either useless or cause more harm than good. "They do canned chocolate drinks, could get you a few of those? But yeah, grab a sports drink or two."

[dadication]

Jack felt old as he tottered along beside Gabriel, circling their little resting spot to stretch out and warm hurt muscles. He was constantly lifting his head to look around at any strange sound, feeling an unfair amount of paranoia. They were out of the city; they were safe. Well, safe enough.

"I'll get enough to fill the limited space we have in the pack then," he agreed, thinking they were going to need it for their journey. The less they interacted with people until they healed up, the better. "We just need liquid calories. Something that will keep but give us energy to function."

[gr1m]

"We could do with rearranging what we've got in there before we start off again." Make room, better roll and fold what was already in the pack. Get things out like the tarp to tie to the bike itself, easier to have it out and ready to make camp down the way. Thinking ahead to make things as easy on them as possible? Yes.

Slowing to just a walk in that circling, hold on Jack still firm, not wanting to lose that contact. "The sports drinks will do us the most good, I think. Between them and the MREs we'll be alright until we can get to the bunker.'

[dadication]

"We could when we hit the rest stop and charge up the hoverbike," he agreed, aware it was the smart thing to do. The more they took with them and had set up, the better they would be in the long run. "I want you to rest though. You're doing all the driving, and I need you rested." Once the bike was charging, he could rearrange the pack while Gabe had a nap. He wasn't certain it would happen with both of them on high alert.

He leaned carefully on Gabriel before he was looking at his bond. "Alright, I'll grab what I can for our supplies. How are your legs doing? Need more time to stretch or should be get going?"

[gr1m]

A slight puff of air. "Will have a bit of time on our hands while it charges, just have to be mindful," of security cameras. Keep something just so conveniently placed over the plate and all. There was a lower face mask they could use for Jack, too. Just pass it off as him having a cold or something but them still needing to get somewhere. Easy enough? "Need you rested so one of us is awake when we can't afford to both be resting."

Gabriel took in a slow and deep breath, "They're doing as well as they can. We really should get going."

[dadication]

"We'll keep as much out of sight as possible," he agreed, knowing where Gabe was going with that. Two heavily wounded men leaving away from the site of a massive explosion was definitely going to draw some attention, off-hand though it may be. They had no idea who was tapping in and watching after all. "I'll try to doze on the trip to the charging station." He wasn't counting much hope in that though.

He nodded at the indication that they should leave, and he tugged them towards the hoverbike again, scrambling on the back and setting the back across his shoulders again. He adjusted his arm in the sling and looked at Gabriel. "I've got your back."

[gr1m]

"Just got to pass it off as easy carelessness." Could pull something over his lower face as well, could play it off as being sick, and around here it wasn't unusual for things like that to come to pass. People with facemasks or fabric over nose and mouth. They could blend in easily enough- "Hope you can do more than try." Needed the rest, hard as it might be to come by for either of them just yet.

Hauled himself up on to the seat of the bike, feet planted firmly on the ground after kicking back the stand, just letting them both get adjusted before he had to start back up and pull off. "I know you do, Jack. Glad for it." Once both were situated?

Reyes started up and pulled them back on to the road, back on route.

[dadication]

"Hopefully with my face being so damaged, I won't be easily recognized by any shopteller," he remarked, but there were ways to cover his face partially. He wasn't interested in scaring anyone making him look like a thug, since that would only draw more attention, but he'd find a way. "Trying is the best you get, sorry."

Once Gabriel was settled back onto the hoverbike, Jack moved in against his back and leaned on it, resting his cheek there. It ached, but he was as comfortable as he was going to get. He waited until they were up to speed on the highway before he ever bothered to try to close his eyes, good arm curling around Reyes' waist for a better grip on staying on.

[gr1m]

"Got a few medical masks, won't scare anyone with one of those. Hell, makes people feel like they can't stare," was a nice little trick to use on occasion for a quick blending in to some crowd at times. Still, he knew there wasn't much chance of Jack getting to sleep, knew his bond damn well after all. "You'll get what you can."

Really, it was a peaceful ride at least, had beat the traffic out and there weren't that many people on the road as far out as they were already. Most of that was going back in the direction they were leaving, if any. Wasn't even much of that since they were headed out towards the wilderness.

Several hours passed before Gabriel was slowing again, pulling off and making the turn to pull in to a service station. Already dark out, which would afford them more cover than he could ask for. 24 hour place, not many people around, probably some lone clerk to deal with. Moving a hand back if Jack wasn't already alerted- "Time for for a recharge."

[dadication]

Jack kept himself secure at Gabe's back, keeping a weathered eye out for people following them or just general traffic movements. His paranoia to keep watch while Reyes drove slowly eased the further away from the city they drove and with what little traffic there was thinning even more, he closed his eyes to try to rest.

It was mostly fruitless, his arm too uncomfortable pressed in against Gabe's back and the wind on his face distracting. He tried to tuck in more, tuck in less, but in the end, he only managed to doze a little bit. None of that was significant to do much more than make him stiff and sore.

He lifted his head from Gabe's shoulder at the touch, looking around and assessing the situation immediately. He eased his grip on his bond and rubbed his eyes carefully with the back of a hand. He eased his way off of the hoverbike and made certain to stand behind it as he moved to the pack in the spot where he had been sitting, using his body to block the license plate as he rooted around as if looking for a change of clothes. He made certain one article fell over the plate to hide their identity, pretending like one arm made him worthless.

"How long do we have?"

[gr1m]

"Thirty minutes?" Rough estimate for at most, and that was the amount of time they could push, his tone carried that. Already turning the hoverbike off and getting the stand kicked up, moving to hook it up to the charging station. Movements tell-tale of someone who had been on the road for a real damn long time. "Feel like you can grab what we need, or do you want to stay by the bike while I go in?"

Leaving the option open to switch jobs at the stop, head kept low, hood pulled up high and always conveniently looking in the opposite direction of any security cameras that could be around. All punctuated with road wary movements.

Did it so well because of how tired he was, how deep some aches were.

[dadication]

He nodded his head at the rough estimate, letting Gabriel get the bike set up for the charge as he rooted around until he found a medical mask and hooked it over his ears and covered half of his face. It didn't keep the bruising on the sutures on his forehead from showing, but his hoodie covered much of that.

"I'll go in. I won't be long," he replied, grabbing the rest of their funds to head inside. He grabbed what he could for them, pain medication topping the list then energy drinks and he bought them a chocolate milk to share while they waited.

The teenage teller looked at him but decided not to ask about his state of being and just rang him through. He kept his eyes down and managed a cough or two that said I'm sick before he was handed his bag. He paid with the necessary money and headed out without hurrying as they had time.

However, he immediately bee-lined for Gabriel and tried to press in on his bond. Even that distance and that time apart was disconcerting. "I bought us a treat," he murmured as he set the bag down and pulled out the small container of chocolate milk. "Can you open it for us?"

[gr1m]

It was a good enough sort of cover to assume, and something the both of them could easily fall in to the roles of since it wasn't too terribly far from the truth. Usually the best way to go about it considering their states, they'd be okay. He trusted Jack could hold it up, think quick enough if it was needed.

He nodded a bit. "I'll keep right here with the bike." Watching Jack head in from the corner of an eye before his attention was back on what was at hand. Moved to sit on the side of the bike to watch the charger itself, easily catch the amount rolling up on the battery. Head bowed enough that his hood shadowed his face well enough.

An arm looped around Jack the moment he made contact, urging him in as close as possible, forehead rested against his. Just that bit of renewed contact helped soothe built up nerves that much more. "Treat, huh?"

Kiss was brushed against the bridge of Jack's nose before Gabriel took that milk with a soft and lightly amused hum. "Yeah, I can. Sit the bag down in the pack for now if you can." Already working the milk open, legs stretched out in front of him, still sitting on the bike- "Want the first of it?"

[dadication]

There was no hesitation to slip in close, to press in. Maybe it made their position more obvious, but right now, they could definitely use the cover of two injured gay lovers to counter any idea that they were from Overwatch. If anything, maybe someone might assume they were beat up for being gay lovers and pass them off as sorry creatures. He wouldn't mind that in the least.

He laid his head against Gabe's shoulder, setting the bag down of their goods and then slipping that arm around Reyes' back to hold on. He looked for the charging amount and was satisfied with the time that they had. Maybe sipping on cold chocolate milk like the good old days, trying to call back a time when they weren't falling apart.

"No, you take the first sip," he remarked, content with his position half-sitting on the bike but cuddled to Reyes' side. He could work with this. "Tell me if it's as good as American chocolate milk."

[gr1m]

Whatever little bit of crafted story could help them pass unnoticed, or not have anyone give them second looks. So long as it allowed them this much he couldn't care less the assumptions made from this. No one would immediately think them as anything more than two sorry fucks sticking close together with so much attachment, and that was fine with him.

There was some rough chuckle, head tipped just so he could brush his lips against Jack's forehead. "Your experiment, huh? I'll take it." Teasing clear in his voice.

Gabriel tipped his head away just so he could take a slow sip of the opened cold chocolate milk, some thoughtful hum there as if contemplating the taste- "Not bad." The cold was strangely soothing to his throat, and hell if the sweetness and fat of the milk wouldn't be filling. Something they needed. Nudging the milk close so that Jack could easily take a sip himself, Reyes more than happy to keep hold of it for him.

[dadication]

"I have to make certain it isn't poisoned," he remarked, though it wasn't at all true. He figured that Reyes had two working hands, so that earned the older man the first drink from the bottle. It seemed only fair with Gabe doing the real work here in opening that cap! Besides, it was better to try to keep things light in case the paranoia or the despair crowded in too close.

He tightened his arm around Gabriel, and he knew that they needed the calories, the fat, the sweetness. They had to in order to heal. Plus, chocolate milk could always be a call back to old childhoods, him at the farm and Gabe in the big city. He leaned a little closer so that the container could be tipped to his lips, and he could take a long careful sip from it.

Tasted not bad at all. He licked his lips a little and nodded his head. "Worthy purchase."

[gr1m]

"Always willing to take the bullet for you," a little dryly, but his humor was still dripping from it all the same. Some little lightness was needed and wanted, grasping for it where it could be done. Something to help them last that much longer for the trip ahead of them.

He held that bottle, tipping it just enough so none would spill on Jack, angling it away and going for another sip of it himself after. Easier to share that way, letting the taste and sweetness linger a bit before swallowing. Make it last a little while they waited. Could take turns drinking it like that, and even if it was nice and cold let it warm something else.

He did chuckle. "Very worthy."

[dadication]

"And taste-test my food apparently," he replied just as drying, needing that humour to focus on. "My hero." They didn't have a lot to be glad or happy about, which meant that their perchance for sarcasm would have to fill in the gaps for them.

He was still tasting the milk when Gabriel finished his second sip. It wasn't a huge container, enough to urge them to have something more on their bellies after eating hours before. He cuddled without shame, aware they would need to get back on the road once the bike was charged. Then it was a matter of finding a place to camp for the night in the dark.

"How much further do you want to ride before we rest? Are you getting tired?"