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[dadication]

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[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?"

[dadication]

The damage had prevented them from logically forcing themselves to eat. They had slept mostly, rested in the first twenty-four hours, letting the deep bond between them start the healing and holding one another's bodies together. Eating would hopefully come after they had stopped being on the run in the first place.

"Yeah, we tried," he agreed. He had to be proud they had eaten more today than they had managed all of day before after the fall of the Watchpoint building. He managed another mouthful and that was all he could manage as the feeling of nausea had begun to gurgle uncomfortably in his stomach. Maybe he'd eat more later.

His fingers stroked, encouraging. "You need to rest. Take it." They were as safe and warm as they could expect to be. He even made a point of tugging up a blanket over Gabe to increase the warmth. "I've got you."

[gr1m]

"Can save whatever we haven't eaten out of this for breakfast- how does a fruit-flavored energy bar with M&Ms sound? Balanced breakfast right there," and of course he was still attempting to keep something of a light tone in the face of everything. No matter how tired he felt, no matter the dulled but deep ache from it all still could be felt in his bones; at least the pain medications were helping there.

If he could just relax, do more than close his eyes, while feeling as safe as he possibly could, he likely would sleep there. Head in Jack's lap and everything. Little by little he would be able to doze, probably.

"Just... don't worry about waking me up if you need to. Okay?"

[dadication]

He took another small mouthful to chew on but agreed that forcing it was probably going to be a bad idea for them both. He didn't want to wake Gabriel up by puking on the man after all. He had a small smile at the suggestion as he put the pack of stew aside. "Sounds wholesome. I can't wait." He definitely could. Talking about food was not high on his list despite how much they did right now, mostly encouraging each other to put calories away.

He leaned back against their shelter 'wall', making himself comfortable with Gabe in his lap. One hand remained gently stroking Gabe's scalp rhythmically while the other moved in to stroke fingers up and down the older man's neck, soothing for sleep.

"You're fussing instead of sleeping," he murmured softly.

[gr1m]

"Very wholesome," and they could stop talking about food. Felt lucky that his stomach wasn't trying to object to what he'd managed to get down on top of the medications. Wasn't going to try his luck further, either.

Couldn't help how he relaxed that much more with every touch, letting out a slow but steady breath. Head tilted just a little against Jack's hand. "Can't help but fuss over you," for very obvious reasons. Still kept that sort of soothing connection through their bond, not letting go of it yet.

[dadication]

"I know, and you've fussed over me all day today and yesterday. It's my turn," he murmured softly, fingers still stroking. He knew that Gabe was exhausted, hadn't had any opportunities to sleep since they left the motel. It was high time the older man rested.

Their bond was warm and soothing for them both, and he hummed low in his throat as he continued to keep a physical connection as well. He'd soothe Gabe eventually, no matter how much of a stubborn old goat the man tried to be.

[gr1m]

He could concede to that, Jack being correct in the fact Gabriel had fussed over him for two days just about, and that it was his turn to be fussed over. Driving for so long and, well. He nuzzled against those fingers before letting his head solidly rest against Jack's thighs, huffing with a slightly dramatic air to it- "You win."

Almost seemed too easy, didn't it? Spoke for how exhausted Gabriel really was, letting the physical connection soothe him as well as the bond itself.

[dadication]

"I know," he murmured softly, fingers still stroking Gabe's head and back of his neck, soothing as much as he could. The fact that Reyes gave in was indication enough of the older man's exhaustion, and he wasn't about to look that gift horse in the mouth. Let his bond sleep, warm and present same with him.

The night sounds were light, just the occasional owl hooting and a few rustling creatures in the woods. It was peaceful, no sounds of the road reaching them.

[gr1m]

There'd been a few reasons that Gabriel had wanted them to go so deep in to the forest, away from the road to not be easily seen. Them not hearing sounds from the road may have been another, make it that easier to pick out noise of any vehicles trying to come their way for whatever reason. Could rest easily enough, even if he was usually a light sleeper- but maybe the exhaustion would push him in to something deeper.

Seemed to, with the hours he did manage. A lot longer than the stringing either of them got in that motel room.

[dadication]

Jack knew when Gabe slept, how the bond was still warm and steady but it was also muted as well. He sighed heavily and settled in to keep watch for the next few hours, listening to the sounds of the woods, keeping an eye out for lights or anything. They were left blissfully alone, Gabe's steady weight in his lap.

His bond needed this rest badly. His paranoia kept him awake, a low burn of adrenaline all the time. It helped that he wasn't exactly comfortable either, but the night hours passed quiet and without incident. He sipped at a sports drink to keep himself hydrated but made no motion to wake Gabe up.


The sun began to rise over the mountains and spread through the forest they were in. They had survived another day. His fingers continued to lightly stroke up and down the back of Gabe's neck, letting the older man wake on his own.

[gr1m]

Somehow he didn't wake up once during the night, and it was difficult to tell if that was purely because of how tired he was or that and just how safe he felt. The amount of trust held in Jack even in his condition to watch over him, keep him safe. Barely even moved, just kept curled there in warmth and safety.

It was only when the sun started to rise that Gabriel began to stir as well. Subtle at first, some tremble as fingers curled a bit tightly in to the fabric of Jack's pants. Something tight there in their bond. Not painful but a pressure all the same.

Unpleasant.

[dadication]

As light filtered through the trees, he was able to look around to better assess their location. Deep in the forest but away from potential game trails. It was a good spot from what he could see, and they had been well left alone aside from maybe a few birds or squirrels, most of whom were also just starting to wake.

With little else to occupy him and exhaustion starting to overtake vigilance, Jack became aware of Gabriel waking, and he tipped his head to observe the older man still laid quiet and warm on his legs. His fingers stroked down further, smoothing between Gabe's shoulders in an attempt to chase away any unpleasantness. Letting his bond know he was there.

[gr1m]

Could have been from aggravated aches and pains due to still sleeping on the ground with his injuries, senses pulling more aware because of the constant little unconscious reminder of their predicament. Body knowing it was tired and hurt, that worrying thought of danger a constant in the back of his mind not wanting to allow him to rest until they were safe. They'd never truly be safe, not like this—

That tightness started to ease, some held breath in Gabriel's sleep let out as he relaxed under those fingers. Even muscles that had tensed relaxed, even if fingers kept curled a little tightly on Jack's pants.

Part of his not yet awake, not wanting to awaken, had his face turn against his bond's stomach with some low noise, curling still. He needed to, but his body was still exhausted, likely would be so long as healing was needed.

[dadication]

He knew from experience and being stationary as long as he had been that aches and pains built up, especially as their limited pain medication had worn off a few hours ago. There was nothing to be done about, but he wanted Gabriel as quiet and asleep for as long as possible. The rest was deeply needed.

Jack held in a sound as Gabe's face pressed into his stomach, hot pain reminding him that yes, he was still wounded. No matter, it was worth every moment of it with his bond asleep and settling down again. His hand continued to stroke up and down Gabe's back leisurely, making it clear that the older man was safe and could rest on.

Exhaustion was going to plague them for days he knew. Their kind of wounded sapped all energy out of them. So the more rest now, the better chance of healing well.

[gr1m]

There was another long day of being on the road ahead of them, no need to stop other then some rest stops to work out any stiffness from being on the bike only to start all over again. No need to stop for food, had enough to drink still on them, and unless they needed another recharge there'd be no stopping for anything else until there was another need for sleep.

They needed to get as much distance and ground as possible, all of those worries and wants going to be there in his mind at a near constant for a need to keep them both safe. A wonder he had slept without it plaguing him then, exhaustion at least giving him respite from his own mind. For a little while at least.

Couldn't remain asleep for that much longer for all of those reasons now, even if he wasn't rising so quickly- "Idea of the time?" Voice a little hoarse, groggy as Gabriel kept down.

[dadication]

A long day on the road, a long haul towards safety, and a long winded conversation about recovery in future. Even for them, their wounding and their travel would make things difficult. They were just too stubborn to actually die at this point. Maybe it was more accurate that they fussed and worried after the other too much to let the other pass away. They would always be tethered in life and in death.

He looked out beyond the walls of their enclosure, estimating how far the sun had risen at this point. It was light enough that they could easily travel without concern, but dark enough that the roads wouldn’t be full of people. Birds were only starting to wake. “I’d say about oh-five-hundred. Maybe closer to oh-five-thirty. Birds are just waking.”

His fingers still didn’t stop stroking Gabe’s back. “Can you sleep more?”

[gr1m]

"Early enough then, huh." The road would be clear, outside of whatever few could be traveling themselves- but given what happened that could be more in-traffic that people leaving this way at the very least. Maybe fortunate for them, or not.

Gabriel tilted his head a bit, all the better to look up at Jack, quiet for a moment as he contemplated the question. Would be easy, to try and let himself get more sleep, especially with the motion against his back.

"Should I?" Or should they try to get going now?

[dadication]

"Yeah. All is quiet," he murmured, hopefully putting the older man at ease against his thighs. He knew the sooner they were aware, the better for their progress, but he didn't have the energy to make any kind of push for it. Gabe looked exhausted but mildly rested and comfortable.

The corner of his lips tried for a little smile of encouragement. "You could use the rest, Gabriel. It's peaceful and quiet, so it seems like a good opportunity to rest."

[gr1m]

"We... should get going before more of the world wakes up," his voice sounded damn terrible, but even as he said it he wasn't pushing up or even away from Jack. No, he was staying right where he was, Gabriel's eyes already half closed from just how soothing that hand on him was. How safe he couldn't help but feel. "Need to give you a chance to rest, too."

Even if it was just something not restful against his bike as they continued down the road.