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."
He might be more awake, but he was still bone tired. He knew it would take more than clinging to Gabe's back to help him with that, and they didn't have the time or the luxury of just sleeping away days. It was dangerous when they weren't on the move, but the touch was definitely what the doctor ordered.
His own touch was smooth and light, quietly checking sutures he had put in place days ago and stroking over bruises he knew were present. He was perfectly fine standing there for the entire time of the charge just touching and being close to Gabe.
"That's days away, so we may as well just appreciate the bits of sleep we can grab wherever they happen to be."
"Still something to look forward to- sleeping in a bed actually big enough for the both of us," Voice kept low as fingers trailed to the back of Jack's neck again, rubbing there and back down in a slow and almost idle motion, "Clean, soft. Pillows and mattress that are actually supportive and mean some damn good deep sleep."
Talking even while bruises and sutures were being carefully checked, and maybe that was all the more reason to remind just what they'd have waiting for them. That they would be able to rest in something safe and comfortable at the end of all this camping. Snatching up what sleep they could get.
He shivered at the thought. The hotel bed had been lumpy and uncomfortable, but it had been a bed and he had been hurt and exhausted. The thought of a real supportive mattress with clean sheets and a comforter he could sink under and be warm. It sounded too good to be true at this point, and the temptation was fierce. "You're torturing us both with that kind of talk. We're so far away from a bed like that."
He was satisfied that Gabe was still held together and not in too much pain. Once he had made his rounds through touch, he returned to stroking Gabe's back, soothing at warm skin. He nudged his helmet against the older man's as well. "Camping should keep us afloat for now."
A low hum, "Less torture and more a promise of one thing waiting at the end of the road for us, Jack." Sinful as it all sounded then and there with their situation, he knew it was right there, somewhere secure and safe where they could bunker down and get what they needed. Time to heal and regroup. More than just MREs stocked up; still things that could sit for a while, canned goods and all, but it would do.
Bumped his helmet back carefully. "It will, and we've got enough to eat here and there so we're not making something worse." Eating with their medication, mostly.
"Sounds like torture. I could sleep for a week in a soft supportive bed," he remarked with a low tortured groan for effect. He pressed in carefully closer to Gabe's side, both for the warmth and the support. There was comfort when they were close, especially when healing. Now more than ever. It was slowly but surely dawning on him how close he had come to losing Gabe or maybe the other way around.
He nodded, aware they would push limits despite themselves but not enough to cause too much harm. He wanted them safe, but it would take miles of road and towns between then and now. "Too bad teleportation technology doesn't exist."
"We're going to, no doubt." An arm kept tucked around Jack to help him fit in closer, craving that contact while still keeping watch on that charger from the corner of his vision. Wanting this to last as long as possible until they did have to move again. Holding on. Still had that much, needed more but this was all that could be risked for them.
Did snort a little bit. "Yet, someone somewhere is bound to be working on it." Didn't help them here and now, but that wasn't the point. Just some easy harmless conversation for the two of them.
"Assuming we get there before we pass out in a stream," he said with a faint shake of his head. He tucked in, looking for where they were on the charge, knowing that without rest, they should get back on the road to put more distance behind them. They would have to camp when it was dark and then he would try his hand in the morning at seeing if he could drive safely to give Gabe a break.
"Yeah, but that doesn't help us now. Without it here and now, we have to drive to a soft bed instead of just being there." He might even take a shitty hotel bed at this point, but it wasn't worth the risk.
There was a squeeze of Gabriel's arm around Jack, a little bump of helmets- "And here I thought I was the pessimistic one between us." More a tease than anything else, and at least t was distracting him from his idea of driving through the entire night if Jack somehow dozed off against his back again.
... He absolutely would if he thought he could get away with it, honestly.
He grunted at the comment, tipping his head a little down. "I get pessimistic when I'm not healing fast enough. You know I hate feeling like dead weight." He knew Gabe was teasing him, urging him to keep his chin up, but he was tired and sore like his bond. The confusion of not knowing where they would go, what would be waiting for them and what kind of life they would have left only added to that burden.
He knew he would have to try to sleep more on Gabe's back once they were back on the road. He wasn't certain he would accomplish it well, and damn, he would be furious if Gabe drove them without a rest.
"I know, even if I never think of you as dead weight," especially not in this situation, "It's hard not to feel that way when things have gone to Hell and seem to keep going." Which was why he picked up the spot that usually belonged to Jack despite himself, until his bond was back in a state to fill it back up. It was what they always did, as the other needed them, ready and willing even if it wasn't always a mindful switch of positions.
Reason they worked to well together, or at least one of the reasons.
A smaller nudge then, after a moment, "Charged up."
"Yeah. We normally cope better than we have on this one," he remarked tiredly, slapping on the back of his helmet as if convincing himself to stay awake. "I guess we don't normally lose everything but each other all at once before." They were also fighting different elements like isolation, injury and a lack of information. He would need to get back into form, couldn't just wallow in self-pity. It had never been his way.
He nodded at the information that they were charged and ready to go, pushing himself from leaning against Gabe and the hoverbike. "You need to do anything before we get back on the road?" He was already swinging a leg over to take up the secondary seat.
His arm squeezed around Jack, knowing exactly how dire their situation was that it certainly didn't need repeating. They'd lost everything but each other, and anything else they had on hand then and there was because they'd taken it out of need. Who knew how much more of that would be required of them before they were at the end of this particular road in both a metaphorical and literal sense.
At least Gabriel was certain that they would have supplies, shelter, and safety where they were headed. They would be okay, no doubt about it, even if the definition might have to be tweaked a little to get there.
His head was shaken, climbing back on to the bike once the charger was disconnected from the bike. "No. Get yourself secured again and we'll be off." Of course Gabriel would help tie that cord before pulling out and getting back on to the road for a few more hours.
He nodded his head as he slid out of his jacket again so that he could use the rope to secure himself to Gabriel again. He knew that he should sleep more, pack on the hours so that he would be better for his time of watch tonight when darkness fell. He went about it gingerly, but once he was secured, he pulled his jacket to cover the ropes.
Likely it would look strange on any cameras that were recording, but at this point, maybe they would look like very odd tourists. It wasn't as if they were stealing or damaging anything.
"All set," he murmured as he came to rest himself securely against Gabriel's back and curling his good arm around the older man's waist. He knew it would be a long drive, that they still had much distance to go, but eventually they would get that bed they so desperately wanted.
He made sure the rope was secure before he even thought about starting the bike back up, pulling away- "You get some rest if you can. I'll wake you up at our last stop of the night." Probably.
Be a long road ahead of them, but they would get to that bunker even if they had to fight going through snow starting to fall. The cold really coming in and weather turning. They would be warm, but most importantly they would be safe. Safe an able to get back on their feet, stored away medications and food. A warm and comfortable bed for them both to fall in to, maybe for days while one or both crawled out for food and personal care.
“Yeah alright. I’ll help set up camp,” he said as he nestled in against Gabe’s back. He now knew where all the comfortable spots actually were, though the rope was in a mildly different position, so he needed to get used to that first. Either way, he pressed his helmet against Gabe’s shoulder and laced his fingers together around his bond’s waist, secure to hold the other man.
He shivered in cold but managed to find some sleep on the road. It was only when snow flakes managed to find their way down the back of his neck that he made a sleepy noise of protest and snuggled deeper against Gabe’s back. His fingers and hands were so cold from not moving much, his feet much the same.
He lifted his head and peered ahead, noting the snow that was falling all around them. “This was the opposite of what we needed to make progress. You doing alright? Want to pull over?”
The weather turning was expected at least, not very welcome, but at least not something Reyes was surprised by-
"We're going to have to, since it looks like we're heading in to it," Not quite a snow storm, but it was only going to get thicker ahead of them. "Want to get a camp started so we'll be warm and have something over our heads before it gets worse- there might be one of those compact shovels in the bag, so we can dig down before the ground gets hard." In a What do you think? sort of tone.
Jack's input was still damned important, and he was looking for a place they could pull off the road safely.
The longer they were out here, the worse the weather with the temperature dropping. Like Gabe, he wasn't willing to risk having a collision when they were already so injured to begin with. The failing light would also make it difficult for a camp as it was, and Gabe had been driving long enough that rest should be snatched. They could start again early, assuming the weather held long enough for that.
"Ground in these parts will be hard and frozen already," he reflected. As someone who had grown up with their fair share of snow in the winter time, he was already considering what to do. "I think we should use the shovel to gather as much snow as we can and build a wall around our tent to insulate us. The tarp can be used to direct the snow from our tent to the walls instead."
It was a suggestion. In his state, he might not be able to help as much as he would otherwise like. He might take the opportunity to push it, but even still, they needed to be safe and healing.
"Think you can support things from the inside while I build up the outside?" Pulling in to the woods then, stopping the bike long enough to untie the cord keeping them together so that Gabriel could walk the bike further in. Of course he was going to insist Jack keep his seat and help steer to make sure there'd be no sudden sharp turns while it was being walked. Snow crunching under boots.
This was going to be a cold night. "That way it'll be easier to get it built up, and we'll definitely need a fire tonight."
"Yeah, I could do that. I can help gather snow up to build a wall too, then support while you build it." He might not be able to shovel, but he could haul snow all the same. They would need a wall against strong winds but also the snow that might fall while Gabe was sleeping. While he thought they could make the night without a fire, one would certainly make it far more comfortable. "I can get some stones like last time for fire too."
He shifted back once they were freed and helped to steer one-handed, the other still settled in the make-shift sling. The snow wasn't as thick once they pushed into the trees, but it wasn't that much easier to navigate either. He knew Gabe would want them well away from the road, especially with a fire for the night.
He did take them much further back than usual, stopping after a little while and finally hauling the helmet off to set and fasten to the bike itself. Turned it off completely and waited for Jack to slip off so he could lean it against a tree. It would add that much more support to the structure,and it wouldn't hurt to hide it from some fallen pine limbs. Whatever it took to keep them safe, hidden, but also prevent them from catching something worse from the cold.
"Let's get this started then, boy scout." Already off to gather those limbs, shovel in his other hand so he could also start getting snow gathered up around the area to build their set-up for the night. Leave stones and all to Jack- "Just don't push it."
He help directed the hoverbike around trees and rocks, and when it was clear they were in Gabe's decided location, he eased off of the bike and headed off into the nearby woods to search up some rocks and and dried wood from tree wells that they could use. It gave Gabe time to gather up some snow that he would help to support into a good wall.
He might have pushed it a little, testing how his wrist was healing and to make less trips. The snow was starting to increase as the night deepened around them, but he was back and used the tarp to cover their wood for the time being.
"Let's get this snow enclosure on the go, shall we? How big we making it?"
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timeasmymeasure
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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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Date: 2019-11-19 05:27 am (UTC)His own touch was smooth and light, quietly checking sutures he had put in place days ago and stroking over bruises he knew were present. He was perfectly fine standing there for the entire time of the charge just touching and being close to Gabe.
"That's days away, so we may as well just appreciate the bits of sleep we can grab wherever they happen to be."
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Date: 2019-11-19 04:37 pm (UTC)Talking even while bruises and sutures were being carefully checked, and maybe that was all the more reason to remind just what they'd have waiting for them. That they would be able to rest in something safe and comfortable at the end of all this camping. Snatching up what sleep they could get.
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Date: 2019-11-21 04:45 am (UTC)He was satisfied that Gabe was still held together and not in too much pain. Once he had made his rounds through touch, he returned to stroking Gabe's back, soothing at warm skin. He nudged his helmet against the older man's as well. "Camping should keep us afloat for now."
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Date: 2019-11-21 12:33 pm (UTC)Bumped his helmet back carefully. "It will, and we've got enough to eat here and there so we're not making something worse." Eating with their medication, mostly.
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Date: 2019-11-22 06:51 pm (UTC)He nodded, aware they would push limits despite themselves but not enough to cause too much harm. He wanted them safe, but it would take miles of road and towns between then and now. "Too bad teleportation technology doesn't exist."
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Date: 2019-11-23 01:04 am (UTC)Did snort a little bit. "Yet, someone somewhere is bound to be working on it." Didn't help them here and now, but that wasn't the point. Just some easy harmless conversation for the two of them.
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Date: 2019-11-26 05:14 am (UTC)"Yeah, but that doesn't help us now. Without it here and now, we have to drive to a soft bed instead of just being there." He might even take a shitty hotel bed at this point, but it wasn't worth the risk.
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Date: 2019-12-05 01:21 pm (UTC)... He absolutely would if he thought he could get away with it, honestly.
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Date: 2019-12-11 04:55 am (UTC)He knew he would have to try to sleep more on Gabe's back once they were back on the road. He wasn't certain he would accomplish it well, and damn, he would be furious if Gabe drove them without a rest.
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Date: 2019-12-11 08:29 am (UTC)Reason they worked to well together, or at least one of the reasons.
A smaller nudge then, after a moment, "Charged up."
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Date: 2019-12-13 05:42 pm (UTC)He nodded at the information that they were charged and ready to go, pushing himself from leaning against Gabe and the hoverbike. "You need to do anything before we get back on the road?" He was already swinging a leg over to take up the secondary seat.
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Date: 2019-12-13 09:10 pm (UTC)At least Gabriel was certain that they would have supplies, shelter, and safety where they were headed. They would be okay, no doubt about it, even if the definition might have to be tweaked a little to get there.
His head was shaken, climbing back on to the bike once the charger was disconnected from the bike. "No. Get yourself secured again and we'll be off." Of course Gabriel would help tie that cord before pulling out and getting back on to the road for a few more hours.
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Date: 2019-12-14 07:08 pm (UTC)Likely it would look strange on any cameras that were recording, but at this point, maybe they would look like very odd tourists. It wasn't as if they were stealing or damaging anything.
"All set," he murmured as he came to rest himself securely against Gabriel's back and curling his good arm around the older man's waist. He knew it would be a long drive, that they still had much distance to go, but eventually they would get that bed they so desperately wanted.
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Date: 2019-12-18 02:30 am (UTC)Be a long road ahead of them, but they would get to that bunker even if they had to fight going through snow starting to fall. The cold really coming in and weather turning. They would be warm, but most importantly they would be safe. Safe an able to get back on their feet, stored away medications and food. A warm and comfortable bed for them both to fall in to, maybe for days while one or both crawled out for food and personal care.
A road of camping, but they would get there.
They would.
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Date: 2019-12-30 04:31 am (UTC)He shivered in cold but managed to find some sleep on the road. It was only when snow flakes managed to find their way down the back of his neck that he made a sleepy noise of protest and snuggled deeper against Gabe’s back. His fingers and hands were so cold from not moving much, his feet much the same.
He lifted his head and peered ahead, noting the snow that was falling all around them. “This was the opposite of what we needed to make progress. You doing alright? Want to pull over?”
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Date: 2019-12-31 03:32 am (UTC)"We're going to have to, since it looks like we're heading in to it," Not quite a snow storm, but it was only going to get thicker ahead of them. "Want to get a camp started so we'll be warm and have something over our heads before it gets worse- there might be one of those compact shovels in the bag, so we can dig down before the ground gets hard." In a What do you think? sort of tone.
Jack's input was still damned important, and he was looking for a place they could pull off the road safely.
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Date: 2020-01-01 05:10 am (UTC)"Ground in these parts will be hard and frozen already," he reflected. As someone who had grown up with their fair share of snow in the winter time, he was already considering what to do. "I think we should use the shovel to gather as much snow as we can and build a wall around our tent to insulate us. The tarp can be used to direct the snow from our tent to the walls instead."
It was a suggestion. In his state, he might not be able to help as much as he would otherwise like. He might take the opportunity to push it, but even still, they needed to be safe and healing.
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Date: 2020-01-01 12:27 pm (UTC)This was going to be a cold night. "That way it'll be easier to get it built up, and we'll definitely need a fire tonight."
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Date: 2020-01-03 09:31 pm (UTC)He shifted back once they were freed and helped to steer one-handed, the other still settled in the make-shift sling. The snow wasn't as thick once they pushed into the trees, but it wasn't that much easier to navigate either. He knew Gabe would want them well away from the road, especially with a fire for the night.
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Date: 2020-01-08 07:02 am (UTC)"Let's get this started then, boy scout." Already off to gather those limbs, shovel in his other hand so he could also start getting snow gathered up around the area to build their set-up for the night. Leave stones and all to Jack- "Just don't push it."
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Date: 2020-01-10 05:35 pm (UTC)He might have pushed it a little, testing how his wrist was healing and to make less trips. The snow was starting to increase as the night deepened around them, but he was back and used the tarp to cover their wood for the time being.
"Let's get this snow enclosure on the go, shall we? How big we making it?"
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