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[dadication]

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[gr1m]

"Always is, I at least have the advantage to have something of a look, but the reach is what still isn't great." In other words? Jack was very much welcome, and Gabriel still thanked him for having done the same for him earlier.

He sat himself up a bit more after moving out of the area they'd both bathed in just so he wasn't sitting in dirty water, hair hanging down and still wet. Much cleaner of course, the snakes sorting through it a bit to make themselves comfortable until it dried out-

His head tipped. "Sounds good to me, Jack."

[dadication]

Jack set the bucket down where it would be out of the way and moved to his pack so that he could pull on that set of clothing that Gabriel had given him on their second meeting. They were comfortable and he wasn't planning on doing too much today until later in the day. That aside, he pulled out a shirt for Gabriel too, in case the gorgon wanted to wear one.

He came close and set about bandaging the wounds on Gabriel's back and arms, checking the gorgon over to make certain he hadn't missed a spot. His touch lingered just a little here and there, but otherwise, he kept things light. "I thought maybe you'd want to wear a shirt to hide the bandages."

His fingers reached out so he could pet one of the snakes that was nestled into Gabriel's long hair. "But let's get you settled in the sun, shall we? I'll bring you some cake."

[gr1m]

Some of that bandaging would have to go around his torso and chest, but at least those wounds weren't quite as deep as some of those on his tail had been. Gabriel had guarded his upper body the best he could, but with how many had been upon him- he was lucky they hadn't been aiming to kill him, perhaps. Maybe he'd have been able to kill them all only to go curl up and die some while later himself.

"Will protect the bandaging better if I do wear one." Wouldn't interfere with his basking either. At worse he could roll up the sleeves or something along those lines.

Head tilted against those fingers, snakes moving to meet the touch. "Cake and basking? Spoiling me, hunter." A bit of an amused tease clear enough in his tone.

[dadication]

Once it was all together, Jack moved to help Gabriel into the shirt, though he had no doubt that the gorgon was fully capable of doing it himself. He just... wanted to help and maybe linger a touch close for longer. His excuse could definitely be that he was tugging the soft cotton over Gabriel's bandages and making certain that it was settled so they were hidden and wouldn't get dirty.

After that, he was moving deeper in the cave to grab the last two little cakes that he had brought back with him. He figured it would give Gabriel time to find a nice spot in the sun to settle into and warm himself. "You deserve it. You've been through hell."

He approached with their little bounty of sweets and offered the marble cake to Gabriel. "Here. Do you need anything else?"

[gr1m]

Gabriel was out the moment he was able, taking in a deep breath and getting a better look of the area outside of the cave. He did move and find a nice spot to bask, letting himself stretch out to nearly his full length so that he could warm his full body in the sun. Arms folded and head rested on them a bit, letting his hair spread out a bit so it could dry in the sun.

He did perk up a little when Jack returned, corner of his mouth twitching and taking the offered cake-

"Are you going to join me here? I don't mind you resting against my coils if it's more comfortable for you."

[dadication]

Jack had to smile at Gabriel's eagerness, probably not exactly able to understand. He liked the sun, but it wasn't something that he required to warm himself either. He noted that the gorgon's scales shimmered in the direct sunlight, and they had good colour to them now that they had been scrubbed clean and the dead scales had been removed. Gabriel also seemed wholly more comfortable as well.

He eased himself down so he could sit cross-legged next to Gabriel's shoulder instead of taking the opportunity to lean against the gorgon as he had been doing more and more. It made it hard to talk but also, he didn't want to make it seem like he was taking advantage of the opportunities.

"I'll eat some cake here and then I have chores I should do to make the night easier for us." Now that he didn't have to go to town, he could collect fire wood, haul more water, track down more food and track any footprints that he didn't like. That was... if he could make it that far and not just fall asleep on the gorgon again.

[gr1m]

In turn Gabriel rested the side of his head against one of Jack's legs one he settled, taking pieces of that cake bit by bit to eat. Savor it as he let his eyes flutter closed, feeling the warmth of the sun over his scales and even cling a bit to the shirt worn in a pleasant way. He needed the extra bit of warming up when he was like this, reason he didn't take the form often in the colder months. Conserved heat easier in the other.

"I can go to the river and set up a fish trap." Didn't need much, mostly river stones and nothing else. Was something his... well, grandmother might be the word for it, but she taught him. "That way you only have to go down to check it to see if any fish are caught."

Or he could.

[dadication]

His expression softened when Gabriel's head rested on his leg, and he settled in that much easier. He liked being this close to someone, even if it might be temporary. He supposed he could get used to it, but he couldn't let himself either. What they had was fleeting, wasn't it? Neither of them were capable of doing more than enjoy each other's company for the short amount of time it took them to heal, travel and drop Gabriel off safely.

Still, Jack appreciated the time and the company. He dug into his own slice of vanilla cake, humming in appreciation of it. He hadn't had sweets in awhile, so this hit the right spot. "Are you sure you want to travel for that? We can always do that tomorrow," he pointed out. Give Gabriel's wounds another day to heal. "I don't want you straining yourself."

He could check if fish were caught, but he was still thinking tomorrow. "You should rest today. We have more than enough food until tomorrow."

[gr1m]

He thought it over for a moment, sucking a bit of frosting from his fingertip- "I should rest and let it be done tomorrow. Just cleaned out wounds properly and likely should give that time, too." Let the poultices work to help heal to deepest wounds and everything. "I just feel like I should be doing more, not used to being inactive."

Even when injured, he was always alone and had to push through whatever pain, a reason for quite a few of the nastier scars that did cover his body. "You've a point, good one at that."

[dadication]

Jack understood the struggle on the same level that Gabriel did. Staying still even in the face of injury meant that something or someone could kill them. Inactivity meant plenty of time for thinking too, but he figured if they struggled through it together, it would be alright on the other side. After all, already he had slept and relaxed more than he could remember doing.

"Me too. Probably why I'm already trying to fill the day with tasks," he remarked as he looked out of the cave at the forest beyond. Birds were singing to each other and there was a light breeze. The sun was warm and wholesome though. "Take the day, and if you feel better tomorrow, head out."

He also felt a tendril of protectiveness over Gabriel. He didn't want the gorgon hurt or seen yet. If others found out, the mob would come.

[gr1m]

"You'd be welcome to come down with me, just in case that is still pushing it somewhat tomorrow." Walk down to the river with him, gather water from there. "You know where the river if after all, even if I could manage to find it on my own," it was easier that way for the both of them. Right? Right.

He licked a bit of cake off his thumb, still taking his time in eating it, not letting a single crumb escape him. "I should sleep more after this."The basking, even if he hadn't done much the rest would further aid the healing process.

That hair of his was already starting to dry, curling enough that it was making those natural waves in the length o it all.

[dadication]

"I could do that, yeah," he agreed, thinking that it was a good thing honestly. He could guard Gabriel, collect water and just get out of the cave a bit. "It's not too far from here, and there's a few game paths that lead down to it," he murmured as he licked a little icing from his finger. "It'd be nice to check for human tracks daily anyway." And they did seem to do things well together.

He nodded his head, expecting that answer. He set his cake aside to be next to him and stretched his back. Sun felt really nice. "You should. I doubt you managed much sleep on the trip," he said and took a risk, unthinking at first.

His fingers reached out, gathering up the wavy locks of hair at the nape of Gabriel's neck. The snakes were all higher up, probably on guard or just basking themselves, allowing him to run his fingers through Gabriel's hair, combing it out. Then he gently began to plait it, loose the first time to see if he remembered how. Then combed back out. He plaited tighter this time, making a firm braid to allow more sun to hit Gabriel's shoulders and neck.

[gr1m]

A low hum, "Don't want to be seen by anyone around, even if just a passerby out for a hunt or something." Be a matter of time before more word got out as well, and it would be best if he wasn't seen. Be enough trouble out for hi head without that as was, and who knew... the king might end up raising rewards for certain missing beasts such as himself.

"None." Couldn't call that forced state he'd been put under any sort of sleep, system fighting the poisons and even wards that tried to keep him out of it. Just how it was at times.

Gabriel's head tipped, some low and soft noise escaping him as he allowed Jack to do whatever it was he was doing. The snakes didn't even interfere, even if a couple of their heads turned to peer and watch. It felt... nice.

[dadication]

He hummed in agreement. "That would be for the best. I am certain there are hunting parties out there trying to collect the escaped creatures. The reward was hefty enough to risk life and limb, I imagine." And he had no doubt that being so close and then failing to produce would irritate the king, though he didn't know the man personally. His moods were well known anyway.

"Then sleeping now would do you well," he said, imagining that resting in safety was the best that could be done in their current situation of living rough. The cave would serve them well, and he still had his wards up to deter creatures coming up here.

With no tie to hold it - and no effort to make one at present - Jack allowed his fingers to comb through the newest braid and then begin higher, doing one of those fancier ones that worked their way down the back of Gabriel's scalp. It was harder, and his memories not as easy to remember the old ways. He had to comb out the attempts several times and start again.

[gr1m]

Gabriel was content to keep his head rested there on Jack's leg and let him braid and comb out his hair over and over again. Even while he spoke. "I hope once I've recovered that the hunting parties will be ahead of us, rather than behind." All the better to hopefully not be found out in any way, he din't want to drag Jack down with him if something did happen.

Already had done more for him than anyone else since he lost his parents to a hunter and an unfortunate turn of events that encounter caused.

"Sleeping better than usual, too." That hum kept to his tone, eyes closed as he let himself indulge in that feeling of fingers through his hair. The snakes watched and kept out of the way, some little bit of approval from them.

[dadication]

This was the kind of closeness that he wasn't used to getting from another individual, so he was willing to take advantage of the situation for as long as Gabriel was content to allow it. Seemed to benefit them both as it was, and his fingers were still working at putting in a plait for as much of Gabriel's hair as he had available.

"That will be the benefit of keeping track of things in town. People will be gossiping, so even my going to the market or a tavern will be enough to give me insight to where the hunting groups are." He was going to be doing that before they ever headed out to make the journey back to Gabriel's territory.

Out he was combing that hair and starting again. Almost had it that time. Now he was certain he knew what to do. "Good. You'll get over that exhaustion soon." Didn't entirely associate the better sleep with them being cuddled together yet.

[gr1m]

Certainly was keeping Gabriel's head rested there against Jack's leg, eyes closed and keeping track of where his hands were just from the movement of fingers. The snakes were coiled out of the way, seemingly content to watch him work through those waves of dark brown hair.

Made sense to the gorgon. "Sometimes the simplest and easiest way to gather information is to just listen," since it was how he'd learned about the sudden hunt and tried to move out of the area quickly. Didn't know if his waiting could have saved him, or had him be found and caught up in it all that much sooner. Easier to not think about, really.

Could let himself doze just from the feeling of Jack's fingers going through his air, either coming it out or through the braiding itself. "Better for the both of us, well rested for a move."

[dadication]

He was just as comfortable, letting his fingers comb through those silky wavy locks, enjoying how it felt brushing between and around his fingers. He was also watching the snakes who amused him how they also seemed rather content with his affections. He was comfortable enough with them to comb hair that happened to be around them, nothing too close to disturb them.

"It is, and listening is a skill that some have definitely forgotten." For him, it was a lifeline. It also likely was the same with for Gabriel who couldn't exactly run around exposing himself to humanity without a disguise on. "The day before we are set to leave, I will go to town to check up on things. Or, if you like, we can go together." Two men traveling together was less suspicious than one.

He was back to plaiting Gabriel's hair, noting that the gorgon sounded sleepy. Probably a mixture of cake, sun and touch. For that reason, he held his tongue on speaking, seeing if Gabriel would simply drift off to sleep.

[gr1m]

A few of the snakes, playfully, wounds themselves in to a plait, following along with Jack's movements with long hair, wiggling a little afterwards before undoing themselves. They were all long enough for it, after all.

"Mm, I used to go in blind before I found fabrics that allowed me to see through it, but no one could see past it." So his face was hidden well that there would be no incidents, but he could see through it and give himself more of an advantage if ever it was needed. "We'll see, I'll have to make a new hood and coverings if I'm to go anywhere near a town by then."

His body curled enough that he coiled slightly around Jack, but remained stretched out just enough due to just how quickly he did end up dozing off in that bit of quiet. Comfortable and feeling more secure than he'd had any right to. Clean, warm, and well fed.

[dadication]

"If you tell me what kind of fabrics you need, I can hopefully acquire them for you," he murmured, knowing that Gabriel was good as making things. It might be good for the gorgon to have something to concentrate on and keep busy with since activity was going to have to remain on the down low for at least a week. "We'll get you set up properly."

He continued to run his fingers through Gabriel's hair until he was certain that the gorgon was sleeping again. Then he plaited that dark wavy hair one last time, content with how his skills had come back up with a bit of practice. He tied off the braid with a strip of leather and set it gently on Gabriel's shoulder.

Then he picked up his cake and finished the little that remained before leaning back on his hands and watching the world at large beyond their little cave. A deer walked by between the trees. Birds sang their songs and flew about. The sun was warm despite the chill in the air overnights.

[gr1m]

He yawned softly, nearly snuggling against Jack's leg with how his cheek rubbed against it slightly. "Next time you go to town," he'd give Jack the type of fabrics, and it would give him something to do outside of sleep and cook when food was needed. Had some time to look for them in town, and at least Gabriel knew the kind he needed after so long.

The gorgon slept, snakes moving as some coiled around that plait and others coiled as if to match it and rest over his shoulder as well. No attempts made to undo it, them simply settling and watching, letting Gabriel rest.

Coils did move around Jack a bit more as he slept, sort of curling just around him but never trapping. Sleeping in that warm sun, and kept in that comfort as the hunter remained there. It was peaceful.

[dadication]

With the gorgon asleep on his leg, Jack had no where to go and wasn't at all upset about it. He had finished his work and eventually dropped his hands behind him so he could lean back on them, letting the warmth of the sun penetrate his clothing. He was warm and cozy, eyes closing and magical sight dropping away so he could rest right along with Gabriel.

He didn't sleep, but he definitely rested. His ears were pricked for human sounds, but otherwise he was relaxed and enjoying this closeness. He didn't even need coils to lean on, not with Gabriel's head on his thigh. He noted that the coils did move around him loosely as the sun reached its zenith and bathed the entire mouth of the cave in warm light.

Plenty of space for those thick coils to be close and remain warmed. It was peaceful, more than he had found in a long time. He waited in his own way for Gabriel to wake on his own, letting the gorgon sleep his fill.

[gr1m]

It was a short nap at least, just enough to still be groggy from when Gabriel started to wake up. Shifting a bit and stretching in a way that had him sliding across Jack's lap as coils tightened briefly before rolling back out. Which meant that for a moment the gorgon was laying on his back in the hunter's lap, arched a bit before sitting up.

Groggy enough not to have noticed, warm and content still-

"How long was I out?" He knew he'd been asleep at least, could feel it.

[dadication]

Jack couldn't help how he momentarily tensed as Gabriel rolled over and moved face-first into his lap. A flush quickly followed even as his head snapped up. He was keenly aware of the gorgon's proximity and that was definitely a reason to stop resting himself. He hummed as Gabriel moved to sit up.

His legs had down their best to go to sleep so he couldn't extract himself until blood had returned to them. He had to unfold his legs as his flush began to retreat. Good thing the gorgon was groggy.

"About two hours I would say. We are beyond noon. Warm enough for you?"

[gr1m]

Tip of his tail was curled over Jack's hip, stretching arms and twisting his torso just a bit. Another wide yawn as he soon enough sank back in to that sit against his own coils. Nose wrinkling just a bit at the time. "Very warm, guess I tired out a little easily still." Or else he likely wouldn't have dozed off so easily in his mind.

He looked off towards the forest, head tilted slightly. "And likely all the more reason to put off that trip down to the river until at least tomorrow." It likely wouldn't be safe if he ended up dozing off outside of the cave just yet.