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[dadication]

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[gr1m]

"There's a beef stew one that might be mild enough to get down." He remembered grabbing it when he'd pulled out the taco one when giving a multiple choice. They also still had the 'tortillas' from the taco MRE, maybe could nibble on those a bit like bread. Who knows. Just knew they needed some actual food before taking anything and that would have to do.

He moved an arm around Jack carefully, tucking close against him- "Thinking less traps and more like.. an alarm system. Branches that would snap loudly and couldn't avoid being stepped on. Little things to alert us if someone comes down here on foot."

[dadication]

"We can try it. Eaten more today than we have the previous one," he said, knowing they needed the energy, especially if they would be on the move, especially if they were going to heal. It just seemed like so much work, and he was tired, not that he planned on sleeping. "We eat and you sleep after that, okay?"

He leaned in on Reyes, comforted by his weight and presence. "I don't think anyone will, but let's be safe. Do you want me to try to get a fire started while you're making rounds?"

[gr1m]

They had eaten more, but it wasn't enough. No where near enough to actually benefit their bodies the way it was needed in order to heal properly, and he didn't doubt Jack knew that, too. "Yeah, okay." Wasn't about to argue that either, more so if he was still going to be the one to drive them both out of there. He needed all of the rest he could get-

He rested hi head against Jack's, just for the moment. "Just get the MRE out if you can. Shouldn't take me that long to do the set-ups I'm thinking about." Wouldn't be easily spotted, look like things that had just fallen about due to how thick the trees were together out here.

[dadication]

He rested on Gabe in return, nodding his head. "Alright, you finish up with you need to do and I'll see what I can do then," he murmured and moved away to their bag of supplies. It wasn't terrible to get in one handed, the zipper nice enough for that and his knee helped. He dug around until he found the MRE in question and set it to warm while Gabe was gone.

With nothing else to do but wait, he fussed around camp, setting up the stones for a potential fire, listening to the sounds beyond their small camp. He even eased his arm out of the sling to give it a break. His shoulder was stiff and sore, and his arm just as much because it was healing.

He carefully piled wood closer to the new firepit, tired but also keyed up with nervous energy, waiting for his bond to come back.

[gr1m]

True to his word, Gabriel didn't take long. Even just nudged a few things to fall more naturally across paths anyone coming down would use to come their way. Even if just walking, more animals trails than walking paths for people; comforting in a strange way to not see trace of human sign around here.

Walked back carefully all the same, covering up their own trail in to look more like some natural animal trail than him leading a hoverbike down where they'd settled. Letting out a breath once he caught sight of Jack again-

"You think it's cold enough to try for a fire, or will us huddled together under a blanket work for you?" Already carefully settling himself down beside Jack as he spoke. Made sure his approach was clear it was him, not wanting to set off some alarm in his bond. Already on high alert as it was.

[dadication]

At this point, nothing felt like it could make him as cold as when they had fallen asleep in the bathroom of the hotel. He shrugged his shoulders a little as Gabe seemed to slip from the deep darkness back to where he could pick out his bond in a more physical sense compared to a just a distance in their bond.

"I think we can risk huddling in the bedding you made. I'm not cold right now," he murmured and slipped his good arm around Gabe's waist and leaned on the older man's side. "Might need to be a little on the cold side for guard duty anyway. As long as you're warm enough to settle in for sleep once we eat."

[gr1m]

"Going to get colder the longer in to the night it gets," settled in against Jack's side, an arm wrapped around him in turn. Keeping close, letting his breathing slow to something so much more calm. More restful. "Just worry about either of us getting sick on top of all this other shit," because right now their bodies were weaker, still needing to heal and recover.

Anything more would just make this entire trip a deeper hell than it already was, and Gabriel was allowed to worry. "Think I'll be fine."

[dadication]

"We have body heat. If we are wearing these warm clothes, we should be fine," he murmured, still uncertain when it came to starting a fire. He understood that they could start a fire if they were cold, but he would prefer to be cautious. They weren't that far away from the city and Gabe was warm against him.

He lightly patted his lap, giving Reyes the opportunity to use his legs as pillows for any kind of sleep. It might keep him awake too. "Getting sick will always be a risk right now. We have so much stacked against us."

First they should eat, then pills, then rest. That's what mattered.

[gr1m]

"Got a few other blankets still in the bag, too." Building a fire would be a last resort, but he still wanted to have the option be there if it was actually needed at any point. It was just a good idea, to have the option there and be able to have one safely enough. Ease some of his worry just enough, honestly. No matter what his paranoia might go on about the risk, it was their health it would be more for; all the same, a last resort as things were now.

Hell, he was taking that invitation, curling up on his side so he could still eat like that. Arm rested against Jack all the same. Seeking some comfort as well as giving it. "You're not wrong, still worry," and he was sure Jack understood that, too-

"Think the MRE is ready?"

[dadication]

"I'm warm enough right now," he murmured, though who knew now that they weren't moving around, it might change as the night deepened. His priority was keeping Gabe warm enough to be able to sleep, not that he found that to be difficult given how tired his bond must have been. "We'll stay as we are and see out the night if we can."

He hummed and stroked his hand over Gabe's head as it settled on his thighs. He shifted to make himself comfortable, fingers tracing and massaging Gabe's scalp. Then he paused to reach out to pick up the heating MRE and investigated the contents.

"Seems like it's warm. Might not be completely up to temperature." He offered it to Gabe to start on so he could dig in the pack for their pain medication and antibiotic pills to add them to the fact they had to take them.

[gr1m]

Gabriel was exhausted, sore from keeping a single position from the ride, and he needed to actually rest. Hell, knew how bad off he was and all the more reason he wanted Jack to get some rest if it could be managed as well. "Just keep in mind I did grab extra blankets," if they were needed at some point in the night, "keep us both warm through the night, Jack." Drape it over them both.

Relaxed against that touch, and for a moment Reyes allowed his eyes to drift closed. Not to try and sleep, but to... try and relax that much more. Sink in to the warmth and sturdy feeling of Jack there. Already reaching out to take the pack.

He pulled out the stew pack, just massaging the contents in his hand to try and get it all warmed up throughout it at least. Maybe just tear off a corner so they could just squeeze it into their mouths rather than worry about anything else. "It'll be palatable at least." Already working to tear a corner off to see if eating it like that would work.

[dadication]

Jack needed to know that Gabriel would rest well, after his bond had done much of the heavy lifting today. He had wounded himself, and while he would push it tomorrow regarding his wrist and hand, he would leave off tonight. No, that arm was kept protecting around his belly and he was pulling pill bottles closer while Gabe worked on the MRE. "If you start shivering, I'll drape a big blanket over you to keep you warm."

He managed to struggle the bottle of antibiotics open, tapping Gabe's cheek with them. "Here, take your share and get them down." He even managed to get the other bottle open, giving Gabe the last of their ambulance pain medications. "These too. I'll start on the fuel up station ones."

He never minded MREs, and they did what they were set out to do. "You eat and you sleep. That's all that's required of you tonight."

[gr1m]

He lifted a hand up just to carefully brush along part of Jack's jaw, making sure it wasn't the side that had stitching on it. "I know you'll take good care while I rest, sunshine." Had completely faith in that, but hell if it would stop him worrying about Jack's own health. No energy to argue, let alone want to start an argument over it. Last thing he wanted.

Took the pills, going ahead and popping them in to his mouth and swallowing them dry, expression twisting just a moment. Hated doing that, but hell he could still get them down. "Eat a bit to help get them down. Don't want to get sick just from taking all this on an empty stomach, right? Neither of us."

"I will, doesn't even have to be an order. Just want to make sure you take your pills and eat a bit, too."

[dadication]

He tipped his face to that hand, eyes closing as he enjoyed the touch. "I will. You'll be able to sleep with me here, promise." He didn't plan on sleeping tonight, not even dozing because they were not out of danger just yet. It was his duty to keep Gabe safe tonight because his bond kept them safe during the day.

He took out some pills for himself once Gabe was done and also swallowed his dry before he forced open a sports drink bottle and drank some down. He would need it to keep awake tonight. He offered the drink to Gabe. "I have a cast-iron stomach, so I should be fine. But you with your big city tummy needs something on it."

He hummed, agreeing that he would eat whatever Gabe left behind little-by-little. "Yes, sir."

[gr1m]

"I believe you," and that was what mattered the most, wasn't it? Believing that despite their injuries he had faith that Jack would watch over him, and if something happened he wouldn't be left vulnerable. Keeping that trust whole.

Gabriel tucked himself a little closer to Jack, even having his head rested in his bond's lap already, craving that closeness and touch in his exhausted state. "May be a big city boy stomach, but it's one that's built to stand spices better than anyone." Had gotten the packet open, squeezing it a bit so some of the beef stew came out and, well. Sort of half drank, half chewed what came out; warm, not as bad as it could have been.

Nose wrinkled just a bit- "What sort of treat do you think they packed with this?

[dadication]

It was nice to have Gabe's faith like that, so easily given and something that he took very seriously. He needed it, and it gave him strength to keep watch for the night he knew. They kept each other safe, always had, but they were both in such a bad way this time around. They made it work, protective of each other.

He leaned back to give Gabe more room to be in his lap, fingers still stroking over the older man's scalp. "I can do spices!" He can't, not like Gabe can. He isn't as bad as some honestly, but he knew he stood no chance against many other cultures. He stroked his fingers down Gabe's neck, humming low in his throat.

"I don't even know. The treats are like playing Russian Roulette."

[gr1m]

They made it work, and they'd make this work as well despite what difficulties they would have to overcome due to their conditions. They would be okay, even if the definition of 'okay' would have to change here and there to fit them.

"You know my family has toned down the amount of spice they use so you can eat their food, right?" Some of those little care packages that they would send that wasn't just cookies and the like. When they got the freedom and both could visit the Reyes family out in LA. A tease all the same, head still tilted against those fingers as he was able to relax like that.

"You never want the gummies, hope for something like M&Ms?"

[dadication]

"Yes, I always suspected whenever I came around, they laid off the spice so you wouldn't have to resuscitate me from the kitchen floor." He knew that the Reyes family had a love and a tolerance for spice that even rivaled his own. They had been very good to him whenever he came around to LA. He remembered those time fondly.

He hoped it wouldn't be the last time that he saw them, but at this rate, who knew when Gabriel would be able to go home or even talk to his family. It was a risk right now, and it wasn't completely guaranteed that they would be able to when more facts were known.

His fingers stroked, humming low in his throat. Of course, the irritation from the smoke and debris caused him to cough. He shook it off and returned to stroking Gabe's head. "The gummies are gross. Don't even have any real fruit substance to them."

[gr1m]

It was only certain spices at least, and the flavor had never once been compromised as far as he was concerned. "All out of love," because they had wanted Jack to know they were more than happy to adjust for him. Make him know he was welcomed and loved, a part of their family they'd do what they could for like he was one of their own.

Time would tell if either of them could so much as let their families know they were alive, and hell if he didn't worry about what the news would cause them. More emotional distress at their loss and, hell. He knew outrage if they were going with the story one of them killed the other in it all. Gabriel wished they could let them know they were alive and... to keep safe themselves.

"The trail-mixes are also a cop out." Had all he could of the stew packet, holding it in one hand for a moment before he was offering it up."I can see which we got."

[dadication]

He shook his head a little, but he couldn't contest that point. Becoming Gabriel's bond had opened up a whole different kind of family life than he was used to, and the Reyes family had welcomed him and loved him. They had made exceptions for him to make him feel welcome, and in turn, he had shown them how his family did things, usually surrounding food because that was a way to celebrate being together. "I miss them." Their families, he meant.

He couldn't imagine what they must be going through, since a Watchpoint crumbling would be a big deal normally, but the headquarters? That would be around the world. If he let himself think about it too much, he would fall right back into despair.

"M&Ms are the best part of trail mix," he agreed. He took the packet and squeezed some into his mouth, chewing carefully. "If it's gummies, you're eating them. I'm not risking my face and teeth to those things."

[gr1m]

Food was something to bring people together, and could show a lot of love to those who had gathered for it in the first place. Provide some comfort in times that needed it, too. More than happy to drag Jack in to the heart of his family, because it was where he belonged in his life. "I do, too." Not just his family, and now they felt so far away, bu for now that was for the best; protect them from whatever may still be coming after the both of them.

A headquarters, and the supposed death of the Strike Commander; it would make world news so very quickly. No stop or slowing it down, whatever story was being fed to the media were already headlines.

While Jack was eating what he could of the stew, what was left of it for him, Gabriel went through the rest of the MRE; of course there was an energy bar in there, tucking that aside for now- "Lucky me, there's no gummies. Finish what you can and you can enjoy some candy coated chocolate melting in your mouth."

[dadication]

He had to try not to think about when and if they would be able to contact their families. It should be enough that they had escaped with their lives and were on the run in the first place, that they were likely going to be okay once they were healed. Now more than any other time, he missed Gabe's sisters teasing them, Gabe's mum fussing at them, Gabe's dad somehow managing to cook for ten with an hour to prepare. He missed his ma and her quiet calloused fingers in their hair, heads pressed to her shoulders. He missed his pa who was stoic but had a wicked sense of humour and took to Gabe like his second son, sometimes even treating Gabe like his first born instead of Jack.

He managed to eat. He forced himself to eat to distract himself from the ache that had nothing to do with injuries. He chewed the soft meat chunks of the stew, barely tasting the gravy because he was trying to force his mouth to do all his thinking for him.

He tipped his head to look down as Gabe rustled through the rest of the MRE, humming as it seemed that they had struck lucky with more M&Ms. "Melt in your mouth, not in your hands," he murmured, stroking the fingers of his injured arm over Gabe's head. "Want more stew?" He offered it, not much left anymore.

[gr1m]

Maybe they'd get to have it all once more, some day once they could feel safe enough- that it wouldn't be risking either of their families to whatever was after them. Even if it was jut some little sign eventually, something to let them know they were alive, whatever came from the news was a lie—

Some little hope that maybe come November they could leave some little sign for the Reyes at least, something they could easily pass on to the Morrisons. Their families had grown lose after all, made in to one big family in a way with how they would at times come together. Maybe. Hopefully. One day.

"You can have what's left, had plenty already." M&Ms set aside, picking a little at the energy bar.

[dadication]

He grunted softly as he felt the stew packet, not certain he could stomach the whole of what was left, which was awful sad. Between him and Reyes, they could normally finish off at least three of these each, but now... it was a struggle to eat half. He wanted to blame the chocolate milk, but he ended up not actually being able to.

"Not sure I'll be able to finish it," he murmured but to raised it to his mouth again, taking another mouthful and gingerly chewing it. He was more invested in stroking Gabe's head because now that they had taken their medication and eaten, there was no reason for the older man not to sleep.

"If you want to sleep, settle in. I'll watch over you."

[gr1m]

They'd done too much of not eating when they needed it the most, and now they were basically paying for that in a way. Slow healing, slow to eat and get what energy they needed to kick that healing in to what they were more used to. Nothing they could do about it other than still try and get by. They'd manage.

He wrapped up what was left of the bar, hadn't even gotten any sizable bites, and tucked that with the packet of candy. "Alright if you can't. We did both try, right?" To eat all they could, too worried that if he pushed it he'd get nauseated again.

Gabriel kept his head rested in Jack's lap, allowing his eyes to close with a soft sound. That touch keeping him relaxed- "Sure it's alright?"