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.
The helmet was a necessity for two very good reasons; safety in case there was somehow an accident on the road, and a very good way to hide Jack's identity. Painful as removing and putting it on would be, Gabriel know it would with the facial injuries still healing. Better to have it on than not.
Reyes kept mindful all the while of Jack against his back, especially once it was clear his bond had finally knocked out. Hoping it lasted, that he would finally get much needed rest and hope the road ahead was calm. Just passing a few other vehicles, but otherwise the stretch of road was empty. Maybe due to what had happened, and could only hope it was a good thing no matter his own prickling of paranoia.
He did focus when Jack jerked, almost waiting as he still continued down the road and- well. There was relief when he dozed off again, pushing himself further still, keeping an eye on the charge of the bike. It was several hours later that he was finally slowing, pulling in to a rest area that was not abandoned, but blessedly empty. Pulling near a recharge station there that was automated at least; no having to interact with anyone, at some far corner of the place.
Was careful when he nudged Jack, aiming to calmly stir him awake.
Jack managed to not do more than lean heavily on Gabe's back, unconsciously correcting himself when he leaned too heavily to one side, head shifting to the other shoulder in the process. His arm was loose around the older man's waist by that point, and he dozed his way through the next few hours without more than little jerks here and there.
He was so tired that he wasn't aware of their speed changing or the direction of the hoverbike off the road until Gabe nudged him. He was slow to wake, groggy and sore from the constant position. He blinked his eyes open and sat up again, peering around at their location and quite frankly having no idea where they were.
He realized they were at a charging station and looked up at the sky to determine the place of the sun, then nearly tipping off the bike, so... no go. He slid off on his own to his feet.
"Same as last time. You want to lay down a bit on the bench just there?" A gesture to said bench that was practically right behind Gabriel once he slid off the bike himself to get the charging started. Leaning against the bike once it was basically parked, arms folded loosely just under his chest.
Still kept his head tilted just enough away from security cameras, having identified them as he was pulling to the charger itself.
He shook his head a bit, and there was no way that he was struggling his way out of his helmet. He was horridly groggy, and that meant he was tottering around trying to wake himself back up again. God, he almost felt worse for the sleep he had gotten, but it had been necessary.
"Need to piss," he murmured, looking around for a spot that was hidden from the cameras for that. Thankfully it was all trees and the like around here. "You should take some medication. Probably due."
He found his way without incident to the edge of the automated charging lot and relieved himself. That was better at least.
"Once you get back from taking a piss, you're just as due for taking anything as I am."
Would be keeping an eye on Jack as well when he did pick his way to a place to relieve himself, habit. Make sure he was still in Gabriel's view just in case of anything, even if they were pretty much alone there due to the time of night. Not many traveled out this far this time or year, let alone night. They lucked out, even if it likely wouldn't last much longer.
Thankfully he didn't fall down or wobble too much as he finished up and made his way back to Gabe's side. He was looking beyond their current charging station to the road, as if waiting for more vehicles to be pulling this way. They were safe enough it seemed, but he knew better than to let his guard down. His and Gabe's safety depended on it.
He tried and failed to stifle a yawn, pulling his sutures painfully and shaking his head a little. He hoped that would be okay someday very soon. He was exhausted still, but he was far more functional now than a few hours before. And snuggly. He immediately settled into any part of Gabe that he could access.
An arm wrapped around Jack the moment that he did press in close, head tipped to just rest against Jack's for a moment, helmet or no helmet.
Gabriel had been digging out the various medications they had, getting enough for both of them to have the needed doses. That sports drink they'd been drinking from earlier already set out on the bike itself and easily grabbed by either of them. Held his other hand, offering a palmful of pills to Jack with just a little nudge against his side.
"Here, I'll grab the drink to swallow them down with and take mine too." Take them together so that neither of them would go without, had seemed like a fair silent compromise to him.
He momentarily slipped his good arm around Gabe in return, needing the comfort of his bond and how good it always was to be close. Their helmets rested against each other, but it was enough for him. He was content, even if he had to remove his arm to take the medications that Gabe had set out for them both.
He took them in hand, pushed up the face shield of his helmet and tipped his head back to pop them into his mouth. No point complaining as he took the sport's drink and drank an awkward sip to swallow his pills. He took a few more gulps to satisfy his thirst before passing it back to Gabe.
"You tired? You can nap while I keep watch if you want."
Some contact, soothe the both of them and just reaffirm what they knew; both of them were there, and they would keep each other safe. No matter the fussing and worry, they always would pull together again. Just was simple fact, how they worked and kept that bond strong that it could be leaned in to even if there was a distance between them.
Took his own palmful of pills when he was handed back the bottle, finishing it off since there wasn't a whole lot of it left anyway. Swallow down the pills and get some fluid in him to chase away thirst. Tossing the bottle after wiping down the top out of paranoia in the nearby trash.
Shook his head a bit. "Nah, I'll be fine. Can push for a while longer."
They might not always agree on how far the other was pushing themselves, but they cared very deeply for the other. These moments of pressing together, of simple contact was an easy reminder that they would always be there for each other. He relaxed more with this united contact here than he had when trying to sleep against Gabe's back. Nothing felt right with the world around him, but everything was right with the bond between them.
He lay his head against Gabe's shoulder, flicking his eye to the recycle bin that the drink container was thrown to. He closed his eyes and savoured their close contact. "You sure? There's a bench, though it seems to be in the sight of two cameras from what I could see."
Would even fight at times about it, squabbles here and there that could get heated, but in the end they always managed something and ended up where they needed to be. Needed a little time occasionally, but they still would always be there for the other. Through the bond, physically, or both. It's how they worked, and they needed it that way at times.
Hand rested against the back of Jack's neck, fingers creeping to get at skin between helmet and clothing there. That little bit more of a physical touch of contact. "Yeah, I'm sure. Might be easier to wait until we pull off to camp."
They were bonded, not machines to the will of each other. They could fight and bicker like any other pair of people, but they always found common ground again. On some level, he thought he always understand Gabriel, even when they were arguing, even if it might not make sense at the time when tempers flared or hurt set in.
He closed his eyes, savouring the contact and returning his arm around the small of Gabe's back. His hand stroked up and down, mindful of the older man's wounds under those clothes. "Do you need me to take a try at the bike? Might be slower than you, but I can if you want a break."
No one understood him better than Jack, and no one ever would, even when at times he didn't know how to express himself clearly outside of something physical. Words difficult but actions always spoke loudly for Reyes. Moments where words just couldn't do, and at times relied heavily on actions and movements, the need for quiet for one reason or another ingrained in him to that point.
No one could pull him out of his own head like Jack, either.
His thumb stroked along the back of Jack's neck slowly, letting his eyes close for a moment and just... relaxed. "No, no. I'm good. Want you to have more rest under your belt, let your hand rest a bit more, too. Get you driving instead soon enough."
Gabriel was his soul mate, and without words, he understood the man on a level he couldn't expect anyone else to understand. They could lean like this together, and it soothed all the hurts and the anxiety of potentially getting caught fleeing. Still their own people, but damn he could be calmed by Gabriel in moments like these.
His hand snuck up the back of Gabriel's clothing so he could lightly stroke his palm over bandages and flesh. The skin on skin contact was what he needed most. "My hand is feeling better, but still not back in full order," he remarked, wiggling his fingers a little from the sling. "How's your breathing? Lung okay?"
They could sneak that bit of skin-on-skin contact here and now, quiet and alone to risk that much for comfort. Soothe that ache and hurt more than what was bone deep. "Let's give it at least another day, more of a chance to keep that progress than not that way," At least another day, if not another more. Be reaching the highway they needed to get to by then anyway, where it would be easiest for Jack to take over for a little while.
Gabriel did lean back a bit against Jack's touch, silent for a moment as if to gauge his breathing. Taking a slow and deep breath- "Yeah, feels alright for the moment. Little tender still, but not enough to give me trouble since we're not hiking this." Thankfully.
The hiking would come in before this trip was over, but by then Reyes hoped they were both in well enough condition to handle it.
"Alright," he agreed, albeit grudgingly. He always hated thinking that Gabe was doing the brunt of the work, but on this, he wouldn't put up a fight. The skin-on-skin contact definitely helped settling him down, and he appreciated having this moment. "Maybe I'll practice a bit in the morning and see how it feels."
He listened to the sound of Gabe breathe, searching for crackles, wheezes and muffles. It sounded okay, which was a big relief for him. Another collapsed lung could be catastrophic out here in the bush where they had even more limited supplies. "No marathons for you," he reminded softly, all affection.
Their bodies healed fast, but the damage they had suffered had been so wide spread, they would probably heal slower than they were used to.
"Yeah, that sounds good." No objection to letting Jack practice, because it was something they could need; let him get some rest from driving, and make sure that Jack was sure he could handle it. Didn't want him to push that hand, because he'd need it later. Gabriel worried, always would, but he knew when to compromise.
Now was the time for it, to help them both not feel useless or like some dead weight during all of this.
Fingers pressed with a dip under Jack's collar, a slow rubbing of skin in an affectionate way to make up for the fact the both of them having helmets on. "I'm sure you'll keep me to that."
He was going to need to be careful as more injury now could be completely to their detriment. After all, they had no idea where the ideas of the media were or worse, the governments and Talon. They had to be careful because they had no idea who their allies and enemies were, so making himself obvious might literally end with them dead. So practice and be realistic on what he could do.
His fingers stroked up Gabe's spine and then over to soothe the bruising that showed where Gabe's healing lung was kept. If he could heal the older man with touch, he would have long ago, but for now, just the comfort of sharing touch was enough. He felt soothed and probably better off for having some sleep under his belt.
"I'll break your knees if you try," he said with an old hint of humor.
They'd find out sooner or later just where pieces had landed, for better or worse; worry about it later of course since Gabriel's priority was definitely getting them both somewhere safe and sound as whole as possible. He'd still push himself, but it was very likely he would pull back if his bond did call him out on something. Being stubborn now, either of them, would be the line between life or death no matter what their bond did for them both.
The touch healed enough of his nerves that it was as good as anything, letting his own fingers rub some circle just between Jack's shoulders near the back of his neck. All the easier to believe they would get through this. Together.
Did snort a bit, some light bump of his helmet against Jack's in some mimicry of a kiss, "What a misery."
His priority was being as far away as possible to be able to regroup properly. They needed to rest and be safe, but he also was realizing that they couldn't be pushing themselves too hard or they might blow out their sutures or collapse a lung or worse. So, this was fine, reducing how stubborn they were for the sake of being safe.
He bowed his head forward to allow Gabe's hand to stroke down further, making a soft moaning noise of pleasure. His breathing was evening out and his eyes closed, not that he would go to sleep but that he was definitely relaxing in this quiet moment.
"You're a misery," he rebutted back, nudging his helmet against Gabe's in return. "But we'll be safe once we get to the place you have in mind. Then it's all healing and eating and sleeping." That sounded like heaven right about now.
Kept up the touch with a little added pressure meant to help work out any tenseness there, just to help ease Jack that much further in to relaxing as he stood there. Likely still had been a strain sleeping as he was, rope or no rope keeping them safely attached while going down the roads. Help him that much more before they had to get right back to it.
"I'm in misery," a little dryly, but some hint of a smile could still be heard in that tone of his voice. "Sleeping in actual beds that are miles above cheap motels and the ground."
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timeasmymeasure
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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."
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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.
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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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Date: 2019-11-07 12:31 am (UTC)Reyes kept mindful all the while of Jack against his back, especially once it was clear his bond had finally knocked out. Hoping it lasted, that he would finally get much needed rest and hope the road ahead was calm. Just passing a few other vehicles, but otherwise the stretch of road was empty. Maybe due to what had happened, and could only hope it was a good thing no matter his own prickling of paranoia.
He did focus when Jack jerked, almost waiting as he still continued down the road and- well. There was relief when he dozed off again, pushing himself further still, keeping an eye on the charge of the bike. It was several hours later that he was finally slowing, pulling in to a rest area that was not abandoned, but blessedly empty. Pulling near a recharge station there that was automated at least; no having to interact with anyone, at some far corner of the place.
Was careful when he nudged Jack, aiming to calmly stir him awake.
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Date: 2019-11-07 03:41 am (UTC)He was so tired that he wasn't aware of their speed changing or the direction of the hoverbike off the road until Gabe nudged him. He was slow to wake, groggy and sore from the constant position. He blinked his eyes open and sat up again, peering around at their location and quite frankly having no idea where they were.
He realized they were at a charging station and looked up at the sky to determine the place of the sun, then nearly tipping off the bike, so... no go. He slid off on his own to his feet.
"...how long to charge?"
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Date: 2019-11-07 03:46 am (UTC)Still kept his head tilted just enough away from security cameras, having identified them as he was pulling to the charger itself.
"You've got time to stretch your legs, too."
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Date: 2019-11-07 04:26 am (UTC)"Need to piss," he murmured, looking around for a spot that was hidden from the cameras for that. Thankfully it was all trees and the like around here. "You should take some medication. Probably due."
He found his way without incident to the edge of the automated charging lot and relieved himself. That was better at least.
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Date: 2019-11-07 04:46 am (UTC)Would be keeping an eye on Jack as well when he did pick his way to a place to relieve himself, habit. Make sure he was still in Gabriel's view just in case of anything, even if they were pretty much alone there due to the time of night. Not many traveled out this far this time or year, let alone night. They lucked out, even if it likely wouldn't last much longer.
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Date: 2019-11-08 07:20 pm (UTC)Thankfully he didn't fall down or wobble too much as he finished up and made his way back to Gabe's side. He was looking beyond their current charging station to the road, as if waiting for more vehicles to be pulling this way. They were safe enough it seemed, but he knew better than to let his guard down. His and Gabe's safety depended on it.
He tried and failed to stifle a yawn, pulling his sutures painfully and shaking his head a little. He hoped that would be okay someday very soon. He was exhausted still, but he was far more functional now than a few hours before. And snuggly. He immediately settled into any part of Gabe that he could access.
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Date: 2019-11-09 01:16 am (UTC)Gabriel had been digging out the various medications they had, getting enough for both of them to have the needed doses. That sports drink they'd been drinking from earlier already set out on the bike itself and easily grabbed by either of them. Held his other hand, offering a palmful of pills to Jack with just a little nudge against his side.
"Here, I'll grab the drink to swallow them down with and take mine too." Take them together so that neither of them would go without, had seemed like a fair silent compromise to him.
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Date: 2019-11-09 01:33 am (UTC)He took them in hand, pushed up the face shield of his helmet and tipped his head back to pop them into his mouth. No point complaining as he took the sport's drink and drank an awkward sip to swallow his pills. He took a few more gulps to satisfy his thirst before passing it back to Gabe.
"You tired? You can nap while I keep watch if you want."
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Date: 2019-11-09 01:53 am (UTC)Took his own palmful of pills when he was handed back the bottle, finishing it off since there wasn't a whole lot of it left anyway. Swallow down the pills and get some fluid in him to chase away thirst. Tossing the bottle after wiping down the top out of paranoia in the nearby trash.
Shook his head a bit. "Nah, I'll be fine. Can push for a while longer."
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Date: 2019-11-09 07:53 pm (UTC)He lay his head against Gabe's shoulder, flicking his eye to the recycle bin that the drink container was thrown to. He closed his eyes and savoured their close contact. "You sure? There's a bench, though it seems to be in the sight of two cameras from what I could see."
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Date: 2019-11-10 12:04 am (UTC)Hand rested against the back of Jack's neck, fingers creeping to get at skin between helmet and clothing there. That little bit more of a physical touch of contact. "Yeah, I'm sure. Might be easier to wait until we pull off to camp."
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Date: 2019-11-10 12:59 am (UTC)He closed his eyes, savouring the contact and returning his arm around the small of Gabe's back. His hand stroked up and down, mindful of the older man's wounds under those clothes. "Do you need me to take a try at the bike? Might be slower than you, but I can if you want a break."
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Date: 2019-11-10 01:26 am (UTC)No one could pull him out of his own head like Jack, either.
His thumb stroked along the back of Jack's neck slowly, letting his eyes close for a moment and just... relaxed. "No, no. I'm good. Want you to have more rest under your belt, let your hand rest a bit more, too. Get you driving instead soon enough."
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Date: 2019-11-10 05:46 pm (UTC)His hand snuck up the back of Gabriel's clothing so he could lightly stroke his palm over bandages and flesh. The skin on skin contact was what he needed most. "My hand is feeling better, but still not back in full order," he remarked, wiggling his fingers a little from the sling. "How's your breathing? Lung okay?"
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Date: 2019-11-11 03:59 am (UTC)Gabriel did lean back a bit against Jack's touch, silent for a moment as if to gauge his breathing. Taking a slow and deep breath- "Yeah, feels alright for the moment. Little tender still, but not enough to give me trouble since we're not hiking this." Thankfully.
The hiking would come in before this trip was over, but by then Reyes hoped they were both in well enough condition to handle it.
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Date: 2019-11-12 04:45 am (UTC)He listened to the sound of Gabe breathe, searching for crackles, wheezes and muffles. It sounded okay, which was a big relief for him. Another collapsed lung could be catastrophic out here in the bush where they had even more limited supplies. "No marathons for you," he reminded softly, all affection.
Their bodies healed fast, but the damage they had suffered had been so wide spread, they would probably heal slower than they were used to.
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Date: 2019-11-12 06:15 am (UTC)Now was the time for it, to help them both not feel useless or like some dead weight during all of this.
Fingers pressed with a dip under Jack's collar, a slow rubbing of skin in an affectionate way to make up for the fact the both of them having helmets on. "I'm sure you'll keep me to that."
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Date: 2019-11-15 07:51 pm (UTC)His fingers stroked up Gabe's spine and then over to soothe the bruising that showed where Gabe's healing lung was kept. If he could heal the older man with touch, he would have long ago, but for now, just the comfort of sharing touch was enough. He felt soothed and probably better off for having some sleep under his belt.
"I'll break your knees if you try," he said with an old hint of humor.
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Date: 2019-11-16 10:45 am (UTC)The touch healed enough of his nerves that it was as good as anything, letting his own fingers rub some circle just between Jack's shoulders near the back of his neck. All the easier to believe they would get through this. Together.
Did snort a bit, some light bump of his helmet against Jack's in some mimicry of a kiss, "What a misery."
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Date: 2019-11-17 11:30 pm (UTC)He bowed his head forward to allow Gabe's hand to stroke down further, making a soft moaning noise of pleasure. His breathing was evening out and his eyes closed, not that he would go to sleep but that he was definitely relaxing in this quiet moment.
"You're a misery," he rebutted back, nudging his helmet against Gabe's in return. "But we'll be safe once we get to the place you have in mind. Then it's all healing and eating and sleeping." That sounded like heaven right about now.
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Date: 2019-11-18 07:08 am (UTC)Kept up the touch with a little added pressure meant to help work out any tenseness there, just to help ease Jack that much further in to relaxing as he stood there. Likely still had been a strain sleeping as he was, rope or no rope keeping them safely attached while going down the roads. Help him that much more before they had to get right back to it.
"I'm in misery," a little dryly, but some hint of a smile could still be heard in that tone of his voice. "Sleeping in actual beds that are miles above cheap motels and the ground."
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