"I know... just don't want to hurt so much. Also don't want you to have to stitch my face back together again," he murmured tiredly, though he hummed in pleasure at the kiss belatedly. He shifted slightly with Gabe's motions, but otherwise, he was fighting to keep his eyes open as they sat there in their relatively comfortable make-shift shelter.
He took the package of M&Ms and fiddled with it, but with only one usable hand, he mostly just jabbed his thumb at the package until he punctured it. He dumped a few in his lap where it was easier to pick them up and also share them with Gabe.
"A week?" He made a soft broken sound. He couldn't stay awake that long on watches. He knew it, and sleeping on a moving vehicle was going to require rope and prayer to keep him from falling off. "We might be healed by then."
"I know baby, I know." On both counts, even if he'd be the one to stitch Jack's face again, rather not have to need him to sit through that pain again. While they were both still running mostly on adrenaline was one thing, any time now would be feeling the full brunt of it. Would rather it hold until it was time to take them out.
Did pick a little, taking an M&M or two as he worked at the protein bar, breaking it up in to little bites to mix with the M&Ms on Jack's lap for him to maybe have an easier time to eat. Better than him taking bites, hoping it'd be easier for him to chew, too.
Knew that sound, "At most, can probably cut it short by a few days if I drive through a couple of nights." No sleep for him, but he could manage it. No bringing up it would be much sooner if Jack was capable of driving. "We won't be healed until we can rest properly, just limping along."
Maybe he was whining, probably was. He knew it too, but he had very little left of reasonability to contend with at this point. He was leaning more heavily on Gabe, a touch on the needy side as they picked at the food in his lap. He ate some candies and a few chunks of protein bar.
He moved the fingers of his broken hand, wincing a little. It would heal because it had no choice at this point, and he considered the idea of them sharing shifts on the hoverbike. He knew he would so they could share duties, but they would have to come up with something to secure one to the other for the trip.
"No, you need to sleep too," he grumbled, aware he might not be making sense. "I'll... be able to drive one handed if its on the highway," he pointed out. That shouldn't be too difficult as long as the sharp corners were minimal.
Gabriel was sipping the sports drink slowly, letting it last in order to just... not drink it too quickly in fear of it not staying down. Mixing a palmful of M&Ms and protein bar pieces as if it were a trail mix in order to eat that well enough, too. Still breaking up pieces to be sue Jack could get enough, too.
"I can go a night or two without if it means us getting there sooner, shaving a couple days off that rough estimate." Wouldn't feel great, but he could and that was his point. Head tipped just a little more towards Jack. "You sure?"
He slowed his eating before Gabe had finished down the sport's drink, leaving more of the food for the older man. His jaw hurt from chewing anyway, and they had made good headway on food last night, so he wasn't all that hungry even if he knew he needed the calories. It seemed less important with his tiredness.
"I don't want you to go that long without sleep," he murmured, not even caring how contradictory it sounded. He nestled in against his bond and pressed his face to Gabe's warm neck, finally closing his eyes for a few seconds. Probably a mistake.
"Yeah, I'll make it work. I'll need a few hours of sleep before making an attempt, but I can do it."
Gabriel still left more M&Ms for Jack, something he could just let sit in his mouth rather than chew, picking pieces of protein bar out for himself to try and encourage him to take the candies. Felt like he still could take a bit more if he could let them melt rather than have to chew.
Let Jack rest his head, wasn't about to dislodge him. "I know, but I'm willing to lose that bit of sleep if it means getting us both somewhere safe that much sooner." Between the two of them he was a bit more fit for it. Right? Could keep telling himself that if he needed to, honestly.
"Maybe by the time we reach highway you'll manage some sleep."
He took a few more M&Ms slowly, sucking on them rather than chewing. He didn't finish the ones left behind for him, but he had taken more than before. He nodded at the self-sacrifice they both seemed perfectly stubborn about doing for one another. That's how it had always been since they had met.
"I just want you safe and able to heal. We'll do what is necessary for that," he murmured, nudging at Gabe's neck carefully with his nose. "You going to strap me to you if I try to sleep?"
"And you know that I want the same for you," because they were them, "Know that we can find a balance there to make us both happy, and help keep this bug-out going smoothly, keep us both safe on the road." Both of them were stubborn to a fault, but they also cared very deeply about each other on top of that. Picking a bit at M&Ms left, slipping them in t his mouth idly.
They could definitely do this, head tilted just enough to keep Jack comfortable. "If I need to, yeah. Something simple and not obvious."
"I do. We'll keep putting the other person first because that's what we do. Feel like this might be the first time both of us are an injured as the other though," he remarked, flexing his fingers of his injured hand. It was less painful today, but that could also be the pain medication kicking in as well.
He knew better than to close his eyes again, aware he'd go right to sleep if he did at this point. Medicated, fed and watered now? Yeah, he was ready to sleep against the safety of his bond, so best not to risk that as he knew Gabe would leave him and they would waste prime travel time.
"Might need to. I don't know how long I'll make it today."
"Think you're right," Some sort of huff to his tone that was only a little amused at the fact. They'd both been injured before, but usually not as badly as the other while dragging them out. Hell, he ended up coming back from a mission injured and being fussed over when Jack didn't have to keep in place until later.
With the last bits of food eaten Gabriel was already putting things back in the bag, recapping the bottle and tucking it away as well for later. Hadn't drained it completely, but wasn't going to force himself to do so. Was also looking for something—
There it was. "There's some rope in here we can use to secure you to me. Think that'll work for you?"
"This isn't the new experience I wanted for us. I prefer fretting at you," he murmured tiredly, sighing heavily. As much as he hated being injured, he definitely worried about Gabe pushing himself to keep him safe and sound while he healed. They didn't have that liberty with their current states. Both of them were bad off.
He lifted his head from Gabe's shoulder to peer at the rope, then he nodded his head. "We could tie me to you and then put a jacket over it to hide it from view. Think we can do that?"
One way or another they were going to both threat and push themselves, and at least maybe then neither could argue about the need to rest an heal once actually safe. It was, fortunately or unfortunately, in their nature. "You can remind me to at least not push to the point I might fuck my lung up again," because that was still healing. Something for Jack to focus on? Maybe.
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking. That way neither of us will worry about you falling if you do doze off, and no one will see it." That plus the helmet would make sure no one they could drive past would think the passenger was sleeping.
At this point, Jack would give whatever he had left to ensure that Gabriel was safe and could heal. He knew that wasn't actually possible, but it was the kind of fierce dedication he felt for his bond mate. "You need that lung to breathe, so you better not." He shook his head just slightly where it rested on Gabe's shoulder. Minimal threat.
He was not looking forward to have to pull that helmet over his head again. It was a pain, literally and figuratively, but it was necessary. He sighed and shifted, slipping his arm back into the sling to keep it safe. "So we're set... I guess we should pack up and go." He sighed as he heaved himself up to his feet, staggering out of their make-shift tent.
"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.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2019-10-25 06:20 pm (UTC)He took the package of M&Ms and fiddled with it, but with only one usable hand, he mostly just jabbed his thumb at the package until he punctured it. He dumped a few in his lap where it was easier to pick them up and also share them with Gabe.
"A week?" He made a soft broken sound. He couldn't stay awake that long on watches. He knew it, and sleeping on a moving vehicle was going to require rope and prayer to keep him from falling off. "We might be healed by then."
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Date: 2019-10-25 06:47 pm (UTC)Did pick a little, taking an M&M or two as he worked at the protein bar, breaking it up in to little bites to mix with the M&Ms on Jack's lap for him to maybe have an easier time to eat. Better than him taking bites, hoping it'd be easier for him to chew, too.
Knew that sound, "At most, can probably cut it short by a few days if I drive through a couple of nights." No sleep for him, but he could manage it. No bringing up it would be much sooner if Jack was capable of driving. "We won't be healed until we can rest properly, just limping along."
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Date: 2019-10-25 07:24 pm (UTC)He moved the fingers of his broken hand, wincing a little. It would heal because it had no choice at this point, and he considered the idea of them sharing shifts on the hoverbike. He knew he would so they could share duties, but they would have to come up with something to secure one to the other for the trip.
"No, you need to sleep too," he grumbled, aware he might not be making sense. "I'll... be able to drive one handed if its on the highway," he pointed out. That shouldn't be too difficult as long as the sharp corners were minimal.
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Date: 2019-10-25 08:01 pm (UTC)Gabriel was sipping the sports drink slowly, letting it last in order to just... not drink it too quickly in fear of it not staying down. Mixing a palmful of M&Ms and protein bar pieces as if it were a trail mix in order to eat that well enough, too. Still breaking up pieces to be sue Jack could get enough, too.
"I can go a night or two without if it means us getting there sooner, shaving a couple days off that rough estimate." Wouldn't feel great, but he could and that was his point. Head tipped just a little more towards Jack. "You sure?"
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Date: 2019-10-25 08:26 pm (UTC)"I don't want you to go that long without sleep," he murmured, not even caring how contradictory it sounded. He nestled in against his bond and pressed his face to Gabe's warm neck, finally closing his eyes for a few seconds. Probably a mistake.
"Yeah, I'll make it work. I'll need a few hours of sleep before making an attempt, but I can do it."
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Date: 2019-10-25 09:06 pm (UTC)Let Jack rest his head, wasn't about to dislodge him. "I know, but I'm willing to lose that bit of sleep if it means getting us both somewhere safe that much sooner." Between the two of them he was a bit more fit for it. Right? Could keep telling himself that if he needed to, honestly.
"Maybe by the time we reach highway you'll manage some sleep."
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Date: 2019-10-25 11:38 pm (UTC)"I just want you safe and able to heal. We'll do what is necessary for that," he murmured, nudging at Gabe's neck carefully with his nose. "You going to strap me to you if I try to sleep?"
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Date: 2019-10-26 06:25 pm (UTC)They could definitely do this, head tilted just enough to keep Jack comfortable. "If I need to, yeah. Something simple and not obvious."
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Date: 2019-10-28 01:31 pm (UTC)He knew better than to close his eyes again, aware he'd go right to sleep if he did at this point. Medicated, fed and watered now? Yeah, he was ready to sleep against the safety of his bond, so best not to risk that as he knew Gabe would leave him and they would waste prime travel time.
"Might need to. I don't know how long I'll make it today."
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Date: 2019-10-28 09:40 pm (UTC)With the last bits of food eaten Gabriel was already putting things back in the bag, recapping the bottle and tucking it away as well for later. Hadn't drained it completely, but wasn't going to force himself to do so. Was also looking for something—
There it was. "There's some rope in here we can use to secure you to me. Think that'll work for you?"
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Date: 2019-10-30 04:27 am (UTC)He lifted his head from Gabe's shoulder to peer at the rope, then he nodded his head. "We could tie me to you and then put a jacket over it to hide it from view. Think we can do that?"
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Date: 2019-10-30 04:52 am (UTC)"Yeah, that's what I was thinking. That way neither of us will worry about you falling if you do doze off, and no one will see it." That plus the helmet would make sure no one they could drive past would think the passenger was sleeping.
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Date: 2019-11-01 07:27 pm (UTC)He was not looking forward to have to pull that helmet over his head again. It was a pain, literally and figuratively, but it was necessary. He sighed and shifted, slipping his arm back into the sling to keep it safe. "So we're set... I guess we should pack up and go." He sighed as he heaved himself up to his feet, staggering out of their make-shift tent.
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Date: 2019-11-02 12:39 am (UTC)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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Date: 2019-11-02 04:28 pm (UTC)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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Date: 2019-11-02 09:40 pm (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-03 05:20 pm (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-03 10:43 pm (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-05 05:29 am (UTC)"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!
no subject
Date: 2019-11-05 05:34 am (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-05 05:50 am (UTC)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?"
no subject
Date: 2019-11-05 05:54 am (UTC)"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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Date: 2019-11-05 02:28 pm (UTC)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."
no subject
Date: 2019-11-05 11:17 pm (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-06 02:35 pm (UTC)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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