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[dadication]

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[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.

[dadication]

He shifted his weight to one hand so that he could lift his other hand to stroke over the tip of that tail curled over his hip. His fingers stroked over the scales as he watched Gabriel try to wake up fully. "You're still fighting exhaustion and whatever they gave you. It's going to take time, so you can sleep however much you want."

He nodded his head in agreement, thinking it was best that they keep a low profile today. "I agree. I just need to get us more firewood and water and otherwise, we will be set for the rest of the day." He felt safe and comfortable like this. He really shouldn't, but he did.

[gr1m]

It still didn't sit right with him, even knowing that everything Jack said was true; he needed the rest, give it time for everything to heal. Figured this was likely how the hunter ad felt, even that brief time he was occupying Gabriel's bed when he needed to be cared for as well. He was just far used to having to work through it all alone and keep moving.

Didn't mean he was going to fight or argue, knew it was for the best and doing so would just... make it all that much harder for them both. Neither of them had time for it, and he didn't much want to either. "I still appreciate you helping me in this way. When you're ready to do that, I'll go back in to the cave to rest."

[dadication]

While Jack wouldn't fight Gabriel to relax, he would do what he could to make the gorgon too comfortable to actually resist. It was a tactic that his ma had used on him and his siblings to get them to settle in for quiet time. Sometimes his pa would double-team with an outrageous story that captivated attention. As an adult, he figured he simply needed to be more creative to keep Gabriel settled and relaxed enough to heal.

"You probably aren't used to receiving unsolicited help," he murmured as his fingers stroked higher and higher on that tail hooked on his hip. "But as painful as sitting still is, it is better in the long run. We have to let the hunting parties scour the area and then move on."

He was still enjoying the warmth of the sun. "I'll wait a little while longer, assuming you're still comfortable here?"

[gr1m]

"I'm not, no." The tip of his tail kept curled where it was, and Gabriel leaned against Jack's other side as he sat, coils pulling up closer around them both while being mindful of the hunter's legs. Easier to be comfortable in the form he was in like this. "Will you be alright, doing all of this?" Keeping him safe on top of Jack doing the same for himself.

Gabriel nodded slowly. "I'm still comfortable here, yes. Are you?"

[dadication]

When Gabriel decided to lean against him, Jack hesitated for a few moments before giving in and slipping an arm around the gorgon's waist. It was easier that way, kept his arm out of the way and he told himself that it prevented Gabriel from pitching forwards or backwards. "This is light duties compared to what I'm used to doing. I perform all the same tasks just for myself, you know. The difference is that I'm not putting on the same milage."

He had no issue keeping them both safe, providing for them. It felt good honestly, a taste of something he would otherwise be denied.

"Yeah, I'm comfortable. You give my limbs plenty of places to rest against."

[gr1m]

He was still for a moment before letting himself relax a little like that, taking the support that arm around his waist offered. "Performing them to have enough for two rather than one." So the least he could do was cook what meat was brought in so that Jack had the fuel and something decent to eat. "You've been far kinder to me than anyone or anything I've encountered," and it was strange. Not bad, just strange.

There was a snort, the sound brief but clearly enough made from amusement. "I know that I can take up a lot of space like this, so it's the least that I can do to make some room for you."

[dadication]

"It's not much work," he said softly. Just a few extra snares to check but otherwise, he had to collect the same firewood, same water. "Besides, I like the company," he added, trying to make it sound nonchalant but it coming a little awkward. It wasn't like he had company often or for many overnights. "I... could say the same thing to you after I passed out weeks ago," he murmured, looking to Gabriel. "Neither of us are used to it, I can tell." Like they didn't know what to do with it, and when the other shoe would drop and they'd be caught in a trap.

He made a point of shifting his legs and letting them drape over Gabriel's coiled body, keeping himself upright but definitely making a show of being comfortable surrounded by such a large body. "You do just fine as you are. And besides, you'll probably regain your legs soon enough once you feel better." He would miss the tail though.