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[dadication]

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[gr1m]

He slept peacefully. Deeply. Didn't even move at all during the night with just how comfortable he was, nothing that caused him to shift or move in his sleep. A soft hissing of snakes was still present, had been once he'd dozed off, just soft enough to be a sort of subtle white noise in the background as the fire crackled and burned down throughout most of the night.

Gabriel remained asleep, that snake retracting from Jack's hand as the gorgon himself finally shifted, only to tuck himself closer to Jack from the man's movements. His head tucked near the hunter's shoulder from what little shit of movement he did make.

After that he went still again.

[dadication]

He lifted a hand to rub at his face, convincing himself to wake up further because the fire needed to be tended and breakfast needed to be found if his snares were successful and he should probably bathe them both today as well. He had plenty to do, plenty he knew he should do now that he was awake if a little groggy about it.

Did he? No.

Gabriel shifted next to him and that brought the gorgon closer to him, and he hadn't had anyone tuck close to him before. Again, not since he was a boy. He slowly relaxed again, his sight bringing some of Gabriel's features to focus in his black and white vision. While he didn't want to disturb the gorgon's clearly peaceful sleep, his fingers reached out to trace lightly over Gabriel's facial features from eyebrows to eyelids and down over his cheeks. Slow and curious.

Before he had done it to establish what Gabriel looked like by touch alone, but together with his magical sight, the picture of the gorgon seemed to clarify. Jack was surprised by himself when he mentally admitted that Gabriel was deeply attractive to him. A beautifully exotic and handsome creature. That was... well, a first in a good long time.

[gr1m]

There was something so incredibly comforting about the extra weight against his coils, the warmth of another body. He had always slept alone after the loss of his parents, but to have anyone with him now simply touched upon that feeling of safety that he'd lost.

It coaxed him to allow that rest he desperately needed, to allow healing and simply let himself relax. No need to be so incredibly on edge that even the slightest sound could wake him, to be tensed and ready to strike instantly. This was the most relaxed he had been in years, and perhaps it was why his head tilted in his sleep.

Gabriel leaned slightly against that touch, those exploring fingers, without waking. Expression soft and relaxed.

[dadication]

The fact that he can do this and Gabriel doesn't wake up spoke a lot of trust, and Jack was again put in the position where he wondered if he deserved it. There was plenty of blood on his hands, though he never denied it when asked. This was still a man who had lost everything except his own life thanks to a hunter and while Jack was probably just a toddler when that happened, sometimes he could feel the weight of the Guild.

Right now, he felt that weight, but it wasn't stopping him from running his fingers over every aspect of Gabriel's face, filling in all the gaps that his mind couldn't. Combination of sight and touch and smell was powerful, and he lazed in those coils all the same because his reasons for getting up didn't seem as important as being aware of Gabriel sleeping so deeply.

Hell, even his hair seemed content. His fingers went from exploring to simply touching, stroking lightly while there was opportunity to steal them. Though would snakes tell on him? He'd probably find out eventually.

[gr1m]

There was no better way to wait for the morning chill to be chased away by the morning sun as it rose, perhaps.

Oh, he'd certainly find out eventually as the snakes of Gabriel's hair were watching. Unblinking. A few even having ventured to bump against Jack's fingers and hand as if demanding attention once it seemed the hunter was simply touching rather than gathering whatever he'd been doing earlier. Could even be that a few were demanding payment for their silence through getting something themselves.

The rest of them were indeed content, enough so to remained coiled against hair and Gabriel's head and simply watch.

[dadication]

As his fingers continued their venture just softly touching and memorizing the curves and lines of Gabriel's face, Jack's fingers did pause when he became aware of a few of the snakes moving in. While he wasn't at all frightened of the potential of their gaze, he knew that they still had venom.

It seemed that they had warmed up enough to him to allow touch when his hands were in reach. This wasn't the first time either, which seemed to mean that he had their approval for the most part. He lifted his hand away from Gabriel's face to take the time to stroke and touch each of the snakes that had come demanding attention of their own.

"This will be our little secret," he whispered to them, though he had no doubt they were very bad at keeping secrets given they were literally attached to the gorgon and made up aspects of what made the creature special.

It didn't even seem like the gorgon would stir, not yet anyway. He thought he might be taking advantage but here they were.

[gr1m]

The snakes hissed softly in turn, bumping against fingers and then being still enough that they could be stroked over as well. Apparently a deal had been made, no matter how easy or not it may be for them to keep up their end of it considering. So, there was quiet for a little while longer at the very least, them retreating after a moment once satisfied with the bit of attention given.

Hard to tell if that was why Gabriel had begun to stir a while after, coils shifting just slightly as his brow furrowed and he curled a little more. The lingering exhaustion did have him subtly fighting to remain asleep, but his own internal clock wouldn't really allow for it. Not after years of having to be on the move to hunt and gather for himself.

At least he'd managed those extra hours.

[dadication]

When the snakes withdrew, Jack took that as a sign that it was best he not continue with the explorations and a good thing too as Gabriel began to shift and come up from sleep. He shifted in the coils that flexed under his cheek and shoulder, and he finally pushed himself up so that he could crawl over that muscular body. He left his blanket behind to keep the warmth with Gabriel.

Then he moved to the embers that were flickering red and began to build their fire back up slowly. It didn't take long to have a good flame going, warming the bite of coolness from the air, but that would take time to warm entirely given the cave was large enough to house their supplies and themselves comfortably.

He returned and eased into a crouch in front of Gabriel's head, waiting to see if the gorgon would wake fully.

[gr1m]

After a while of fitful shifting, that little fight of trying to remain asleep but unable to remain so, Gabriel finally let out a slightly irritated huff. He wasn't normally one to sleep for so long, but even he knew what his body needed to heal properly. Stubborn to try and do what was needed while also simply being unable to conquer ingrained habits for survival; even if in the long run he knew that was likely a good thing. Shouldn't let himself become used to something like this, it was all... temporary.

He stretched out over his own coils, arms moved above his head as his back arched and a portion of his tail did the same in an odd twisting way. Some of the blankets came off of place as he rolled on to his back and. Blinked a few times.

Was ending up staring at Jack in his crouch, upside-down, the snakes curled in a way that kept the rest of his hair from touching the ground.

[dadication]

Jack's attention was taken when the gorgon began to stretch and it was fascinating to watch all those thick corded muscles move that tail and shift the scales. It didn't help that it had been a very long time that he could watch someone wake up without the express intention of killing them the moment those eyes opened. This was different, and he certainly felt that.

And Gabriel made quite a show of it, stretching and making himself seem comfortable in the act of waking. Those bandages held but would need to be changed today, and he knew he would be hauling water up here soon enough now that the sun had risen.

His head tilted slightly when he sensed that Gabriel was watching him. "I suppose this is good morning. You look like you slept well."

[gr1m]

Gabriel rolled himself over so he was at least no longer having his head hanging over part of his coils, arms folded underneath him instead in a sort of prop. Still comfortable, some of his lower body having to turn and recoil as well but that was fine. "Well as I could to feel more rested than usual," that was a yes. He had slept well and was not at all used to it still.

"How long have you been awake?" His own head tilted, those snakes moving and sorting out his hair a bit as well as they could. Seemed to be something to keep them busy or- something.

[dadication]

Gabriel seemed to be at peak comfort and was in no hurry to rise and get going with the day where both of them likely had very little planned. He knew what he needed to accomplish, but he couldn't say that he was in much of a hurry to do any of those things right now. Instead, he was content to remain crouched and watch Gabriel.

"You need the rest; it's been a tough while for you." As for how long he had been awake? He shrugged his shoulders a little. "I woke a little while ago, but I just moved to get the fire built up again. I was more comfortable than I should be under those blankets and resting on your tail."

At least that was most of the truth. Best not to admit to touching Gabriel was he slept as that might be a breach of privacy.

[gr1m]

"I usually wake up before sunrise." Yet he'd been kept asleep and even in some drugged up state due to wards and poison keeping him so very out of it if he did manage to breach some form of consciousness. Hadn't been restful, been left bleeding and for wounds to fester. They didn't care for him other than the fact they could keep him alive and deliver him for their reward.

He shifted, 'sitting up' amongst his coils while pulling the blanket so it draped around his shoulders. Remaining wrapped up in it as he felt the lingering chill, even if on it's way to warming up in the air. "That's alright, you know.

"You deserve what rest you can get since it isn't just yourself you have to care for at the moment."

[dadication]

"Well, you've been dealing with whatever toxins they were giving you to keep you quiet the last few days, and I figure that takes some time to leave your system," he pointed out, not that either of them probably needed an excuse to sleep. Maybe it was just so rare that they did sleep so well, toxin or not. Besides, Gabriel's wounds required rest, heat and energy, all of which would be provided.

He rubbed his hands together for friction against the cold, knowing he would have to check for some fresh breakfast in his snares soon enough. He knew there were plenty of rabbits in the area, so that might be a staple of their diets.

"I don't normally sleep this long myself, but I guess we're both in some kind of recovery mode. I'm going to check the snares for breakfast. I have some eggs and cheese in my bag. Thinking one of us could make some mixture with any meat I bring back? What do you say?" Gabriel so far had been very good at cooking.

[gr1m]

Jack had a point, one that Gabriel knew, but it was still something to have it said out loud and just... thinking about it. How many days they'd been keeping him down, restrained and what was essentially a bag secured over his head no doubt. He could still feel some of the shackles around his wrist as if they were still there, but he figured that would fade the more he healed.

Nodding then. "I can make us something with that mix. You brought back a few things for cooking, right?" He remembered that the hunter had mentioned it when he came back from his trip to town. "That will help the meat taste better, and I can definitely do something with the eggs and cheese."

Apparently he didn't mind cooking at all.

[dadication]

Jack could only guess how long Gabriel had been restrained and drugged, but he knew that the group hadn't stopped to capture more creatures after the gorgon. It was such a rich prize and the cages had mostly been full as it was. So he gave it up to a week, maybe a few days on top of that that Gabriel had been forced to suffer. He expected about that long for recovery, and they had that time. Better to let the world slowly calm again.

"I did. Pan, a pot and some utensils for us to make use of," he murmured. He leaned over to feed the fire a little more to build it up further. The air was warming nicely, and he felt comfortable. "I bought spices and herbs for you to use as well. I figure between the two of us, we won't starve."

He slowly rose to his feet from his crouch, stretching. "We should change your bandages and wash your wounds today. Do that after breakfast?"

[gr1m]

There was a low hum from the gorgon. "I can make do with all of that, yes. It will be an improvement on the rabbit I cooked yesterday at the very least." Which was rather moist and tender with what Gabriel managed to do on his own. Having something to actually cook on that wasn't a rock and a few spices and herbs would work wonders.

Pulled that blanket closer around his shoulders. "Yes, food first for the energy to get through it and be able to just... rest and digest after."

[dadication]

That rabbit hadn't lasted long, not with two grown men having to eat it and Gabriel had a necessary appetite for healing. He knew that they had to hope for more fresh game, and he would probably have to consider seeing if he could fish. That had never been his strong suit since water played havoc on his magical sight. "I'll go check the snares. Do you think you could hit a pheasant with a crossbow? Or fish? I can't fish well, but I could hit flying birds." Better to keep their appetites open for different proteins.

He reached out and lay a hand on Gabriel's shoulder, patting it lightly. "I'm going to fetch us some water and see if the snares were fruitful. Probably rabbit again if they were." He then rose to his feet, stretched and went to pull on clothing fit for wandering in the wilderness. "Once we finish, sun should be warm enough for you to safely bask."

[gr1m]

"If you can hit flying birds I can take care of fishing," he knew a few ways that his mother and father had both taught him. "Since there's a river nearby I can supplement us with fish if you'll go down with me at first," when he was well enough to go down to a river at least. "Could possibly hit a pheasant as well, I always hunted things like deer when I could." Did have a varied diet at least.

He leaned up under Jack's hand on his shoulder, watching him before Gabriel nodded slowly. "Okay. I'll go through the bag here and pull out what's needed and I can get started on the eggs at least." Have the pant warmed up by the time Jack came back with whatever could'e been in the snares as well. "Basking will be nice- could join me in that if you wanted, too."

[dadication]

Well it seemed that between the two of them they would have a varied diet. If they had to stay here a few weeks, he wouldn't have to go to town too often, and they could take what they caught with them if the time came. "Alright, it seems that we will be set for food. I can collect some berries and fruits, though it's late in the season now." Foraging he could do when there was time.

He nodded, packed up his stuff, took his bucket to grab water and glanced towards Gabriel. "We'll see. I don't think I need basking the same way you do." But if they lay together in the sun, it might be worth it for the rare opportunity of closeness. "I'll be back."

He headed out of their cave and went to check his snares. Two rabbits caught and the other still bare, so he left them set again. He washed his face and hands before gathering water from the stream, hauling it back up to their cave. He spotted some edible berries on the way back and gathered two handfuls of that before he was heading back up to the cave. He didn't see sign of pursuers and was just as glad for it.

He set the water bucket down as he entered and brought over rabbits and berries to the fire.

[gr1m]

The corner of his mouth twitched slightly. "You never know, might be something you could enjoy just for the sake of laying under the warm sun." Tipping his head as he let Jack go and let the blanket drop from around his shoulders.

Kept the majority of the blankets draped over his coils as he moved to rummage and take out the pan so he could get it over the fire, cracking a couple of eggs in along with a bit of what he found to be salt. Sitting in his own coils as he let them cook slowly as the pan heated up over the fire.

By the time Jack returned the eggs were slipped on to a makeshift plate, Gabriel looking up- "You can eat these and I can take care of those rabbits." Skin them and all so he could get them cooked up, too.

[dadication]

Relaxing wasn't something that he did much, didn't like how it made him feel more isolated and like he might be attacked at any time because his guard was down. Gabriel was probably right that he would probably enjoy, especially with the gorgon nearby and the both of them on some sense of guard so there was coverage even while relaxing.

He returned to the smell of cooking, finding it oddly nice to have someone else cook a meal for him. He handed over the rabbits and sniffed the air. "I'll grab more firewood from the stack outside so we have coverage before eating," he murmured and left to do that, grabbing large armfuls to put in the cave with the half stalk they still had. Now he wouldn't have to worry about it.

He seated himself, tasting one of the berries. They were late in the season but still tasted good. "Eat as much as you want and need. I can always catch more. Right now we don't need to preserve supplies since I can go to town."

[gr1m]

The tip of his tail pushed the 'plate' of eggs over in front of Jack while Gabriel was skinning and taking apart the rabbits, only putting the various parts in the pan to cook when he was satisfied. A few herbs and seasonings were tossed in as well as the lot of it went over the fire to cook, tending to the rabbit meat after wiping blood off his hands on a cloth.

"I'll eat one these are cooked, and you eat those eggs so you don't have to wait the entire time." Judge how the fried eggs tasted as he dealt with the meat, coiled close enough to the fire he was both warmed and able to turn the various parts of rabbit to cook them evenly.

[dadication]

He took the plate when it seemed that the gorgon would insist and he began to eat the fried eggs. Even with just some salt, they were delicious. The yolk was just right to be a bit runny and he nodded his head as he ate his way through them, even if it didn't take long. Jack didn't waste time when it came to eating, mostly because he was on the move a lot as it was.

"Smells good," he murmured as he polished off and cleaned the plate and put it forward so Gabriel could use it. He then took a bit of risk and shifted to lean against the gorgon's coiled body, avoiding wounds as he settled in. He grabbed a few berries and chewed on them. "We should finish off that cake that I brought."

[gr1m]

The snakes kept his hair 'tied' back neatly, coils shifting a bit so that Jack had something easier to lean against so he could be close and comfortable. Took the smaller pieces of meat off first since they cooked faster, not wanting them to dry out. "There's still two, isn't there?" Since Jack had gotten three and he'd only eaten the chocolate one, so two should have been left as Jack hadn't eaten any.

"Taste one of those for me, to make sure I got the seasoning right." Wasn't fancy, but he'd at least added more flavor that would pair well with the way rabbit meat could swing.