Open Post

[dadication]

TBD

Comments

[dadication]

Their first encounter had been brief, Jack not pushing territorial boundaries but an introduction to one another's existence. The second had been longer and it had established an ability to take care of one another in both a combat capacity and outside of it. This one was similar to the second, but he could admit to being a lot more comfortable with Gabriel, like they had known each other longer than they actually had.

"I don't think I've experienced this kind of natural relationship since my friends and siblings when I was boy." That was a long time ago. Even his relationship with his mentor had been strained and full of its own unique violence. The Hunter's Guild was a necessary part of his identity and probably the only place that would accept him for coin.

But was it wrong to want more? Was it wrong to want a little of what he had lost all those years ago?

His fingers carded through Gabriel's hair, the locks thick and silky. "Me too. I don't... usually touch people, not like this. I just... don't know what it means, where I should stop, if I should stop." He sighed heavily. "I don't think I'm supposed to have these things."

[gr1m]

"I don't think you're meant to let me live, let alone help me escape from whatever fate was in store for me in claiming that bounty." Makin it clear they the both of them had both already stepped in to territories of things they were or were not supposed to anything. Never pulled away, rather indulged in that feeling of fingers moving through his hair as claws lightly traced along skin there at the back of Jack's neck.

They'd already fallen across some line mean to be drawn in the dirt. "You're the first to have touched me and not inflicted some violence, that I've let even this close willingly." And that he'd not had to kill because of it.

The first that wouldn't be turned to stone because Jack couldn't exactly look at him- "What is it that you want, Jack?" A light prompt to say whatever it was out loud if he so wanted.

[dadication]

It was true he hadn't made any move to collect the bounty. He had reasoned that it was old and thus something he could simply ignore. Jack preferred to go after problem creatures, those that ruined the livelihoods of others like his family all those years ago. Oh, he could be forced to take unsavory job, and he'd do them, but Gabriel had been different. Rare, special and a species that should have an opportunity to recover. "Probably not, but... the bounty is old, and you're not harming anyone." His mantra when it came to the gorgon.

A part of him was thrilled he was the first at something kind and affectionate rather than the usual violence he was associated with. As if to reply, his fingers moved higher along Gabriel's scalp, able to stroke the base of many snakes as his fingers passed and scritched scalp. "That's... about the same." He had been celebit for a long time, growing tired of paying for affection that was meaningless. "I don't tolerate people touching me that well, since they always seem to have ulterior motives to what they want."

And he did have a unique advantage because he had lost his eyes a long time ago and just learned to be functional without them. It allowed him to be close and comfortable like this, lounging in Gabriel's coils. "I don't... know." That was honest. Everything felt conflicted and screwed up. "I want to experience things like this though. Warm, comfortable, able to touch and trust and receive the same."

He leaned their foreheads together again. "Do you know what you want?"

[gr1m]

It could recover well without him- wasn't as if he were interested in mating with a woman, and he didn't even entertain the idea he could carry if he did ever find a man who wanted him. That wanted a life, let alone family, with him. He moved far too much for anything stable, having his stops and shelters or not. "Matters little to most because I am a gorgon," a kind humanity had tried to wipe out out of fear.

The snakes were as pleased as Gabriel was, his head tilting back against that hand with a soft rumble that could easily shift in to some odd purring sort of sound. "No longer afraid that I may have any ulterior motives?" He'd lost that fear that Jack held any a while ago at least.

His eyes opened once he felt the hunter's forehead pressed against his once more- "I want the same."

[dadication]

Neither of their lives were conducive to any sort of family, probably would be barely function between the two of them honestly. They would be at risk associating with each other and it could cost them everything in the end. But... wasn't the reward as worthwhile as the risk? Jack had given up on everything but getting through the day until Gabriel had taken him in when he had been injured, and it was the first act of selfless kindness that felt like a wake up call. "They can't look at you either. I can." Sort of. "How... did your parents make it work? Was it just a different time for such relations?"

His fingers continued to trail between the snakes and carding through Gabriel's hair. It was a rare thing to be able to have touch like this, and he was going to take full advantage of it honestly. He leaned his head up a little to nuzzle Gabriel's nose with his own. "If you did, I figure they would have played out by now. It isn't as if you have advantages associating with a hunter. I think... you're as lonely as I am."

That was difficult for them to get, wasn't it? "Do you want to fight to have it, or just... accept what it is now and leave it be when we separate after getting you home?"

[gr1m]

"It was a different time, and lived far away from people. My father would trek to a town on occasion, but that was it." They farmed, hunted, little pieces of memories he still had of life then before it all fell apart because a hunter had found them.

Gabriel brushed his nose against Jack's in turn with that nuzzling. "You listened, even if partially, to my warning rather than attacking me simply for being there." He didn't know how else to word that one, really. "You came back, wanted to warn me, and didn't simply leave when something was wrong- I..." Didn't want to loose even that much then, either. Silly as it could sound. "I've had no interaction with anyone, outside of the satyr that wanted to score because I was a 'rare beauty' according to him." A very obvious ulterior motive.

He was lonely, had been for a very long time.

"I'd fight if you were willing to."

[dadication]

It was a nice idea, wasn't it? Jack didn't think that it was a life that either he or Gabriel could sustain, not where they were at. Guild membership was for life and deserters were black listed. Gabriel also clearly had a life of his own, may not even be looking to share it with someone else. "I guess... they lived off the land, huh?" That was bittersweet, the thought of it.

Jack didn't make it a habit to shoot first unless he had to, and he had seen the warning signs clear as day. Maybe he'd been more surprised a gorgon was in the mines, even if it made sense looking back on it. "You were probably the first one that took me in when I was wounded without expecting something in return. Just... let me go on my way, didn't rob me or finish me off." And that came with a certain amount of trust of course. "I guess... that makes us friends at least, right?" This was what friends did, right? He thought he remembered nights in the barn sleeping in the hay, laughing, pushing each other around. He'd kiss his first boy in that barn... too bad it burnt to the ground.

He tilted his head, fingers combing through Gabriel's hair again, taking his time to think about it even if it had been his suggestion. "I'll fight for this." For a friend. For an ally. Even if it went no further than friendship, he'd fight. He needed this badly.

[gr1m]

There was the smallest of nods, figuring that Jack could feel it with how foreheads rested and noses brushed. "Yeah, they did. My mother used to weave fabric, she made the blindfold my father wore." Was where he'd picked up his own knowledge to create his hoods and everything to travel as safely as he could amongst humans.

"Yeah, it makes us friends," at the very least. "I was surprised when you actually... came back with gold. Figured you'd simply take off and be on your way but you... came back. Wanted to keep in touch even then." It had meant a lot to him, and that little garter snake was proof enough that the attempt had well been made.

His coils tightened around Jack a little, in some little squeeze before relaxing again, tip of his tail still curled around a hip and Gabriel's upper body practically laying on him from their repositioning. "We'll fight for us to keep this," together.

[dadication]

Jack was glad that it was dark - not that he'd know it - to hopefully hide how he gnawed at his lower lip. "How... did they meet?" He'd never really asked about someone else's family before, not enjoying how it forced him to reflect on his own. He preferred not to think about that, but he was intrigued and maybe a touch envious.

"Good. I've been told I need more friends," he reflected dryly. His mentor had been referring to other Guild members at the time, and it had been with a condescending tone too. That was typical and one of many reasons he hadn't made friends. "I might not be much of a good person, but I keep my word. Always try to." And they had sort of kept in touch; it was why he kept up with the snakes, never killed them even if just happened to be passing one by. "Besides, we made that bounty together. My need for gold was less than yours." Paid for by the Guild and all that.

He felt the squeeze, light and comfortable given the position they were in. Slowly he dropped his hands so that they rested against the small of Gabriel's back. It was an odd and pleasant closeness. "Okay. I'd like that."

[gr1m]

Gabriel's own family was long gone, perhaps lost even before Jack had lost his own, at the very least. Not a comfort, but still. "My father was a traveler, sometimes guarding caravans going the same route," a good warrior. "My mother and her sisters were passing the same route, leaving fabrics and trinkets to be picked up," once there'd been an agreement. Things made would be sold at various places, and they'd be given goods in turn bought with money earned. "He made a habit of guarding the people who picked up the items, and began speaking with them. Enchanted by what he saw of my mother, because even then we knew to cover ourselves to protect others. It took a few times before he spoke to her, and apparently she'd been watching him as well." A chance meeting, really.

Gabriel hummed softly. "You're good enough of a person, if that counts for anything coming from me." Good enough, enough at all, enough for the gorgon. "Fortunate for the both of us, it seems." To have met at all.

The placement of hands were noticed, but there was no objection as the gorgon allowed himself to relax right there like that. "Okay. Good."

[dadication]

They had both clearly lost a lot, that foundation for a potential normal life, or even the love and care of a family unit. It was amazing that they found each other and accepted one another given that Gabriel's family had been killed by a hunter and Jack's family had been killed by a monster. "Sounds like one of those fairytale love stories we're told as kids," he murmured softly, trying to think about what that would be like to experience. At this point, he couldn't actually imagine it. "It's a tragedy that you lost them."

His fingers lightly dug into Gabriel's bare back as if about to start kneading. "It counts especially from you. After all, you could be one of my bounties and saying that... means that I'm not ruled by this job," he said with a deep sigh. "Yeah, it is, especially when you consider we're making a habit of saving each other."

It seemed they were in agreement on trying to hash out their friendship or whatever it would become. That gave him comfort as he nuzzled the side of Gabriel's nose with his own, foreheads still pressed together. "Not that magical sight is the best for identifying fine details, but... I think you're very handsome."

[gr1m]

"I sometimes wonder if anyone would remember him." He never looked to find out, because it didn't matter if anyone remembered a man like that after his death, and he didn't want to interact with people long enough that he might be found out. He had his ways to remember them, and that was all that mattered.

Sometimes being good enough meant more than anything- "Even grounds, but you're not yet done saving me." Still a ways to go before he was in the clear, and he imagined now the hunt might never end. Depending on the news that Jack could get later on.

Gabriel made himself comfortable, torso laying on top of Jack's at this point, nuzzling in turn as the corner of his mouth twitched. "Need a reminder with your touch?" For those finer details.

[dadication]

"Probably not," Jack said a touch sullenly. No one remembered his family, so why would anyone bother to remember Gabriel's? They were lost to time passing and everyone moved on from those kinds of tragedies anyway. "Did he have family? They might remember him then." He supposed that Gabriel could try to find them, the human side of his heritage, but they both probably knew the inherent risk of doing that. Still, if it was important.

He hummed in agreement, acknowledging that he knew that there was a long way to Gabriel's recovery and translocation to what was familiar again. Even then, a known gorgon alive and moving about would have people on edge. "I think once I'm done all this, you might actually owe me another saving," he murmured, a soft tease in his voice.

Jack shifted but didn't dislodge the gorgon as he was definitely warm and comfortable. "No, I remember," he murmured, though maybe he would touch again in the morning just to be certain. "The point still stands, you know. Unless this is your way of asking me to touch you?"

[gr1m]

There was a brief sound, because that was simply what Gabriel thought; his father had just been a man who traveled and protected people along various roads and trading routes. "Probably, but they'd likely be better off never knowing." What might have become of him, or the family started and somewhat lost.

Did make an amused noise just there in his throat, and soon enough his had his head rested against one of his own coils, face still near Jack's. "Maybe you ought to stick close by just in case then." Soft, still curled so closely together there in his own coils.

Tugged that blanket up to both of their shoulders with how he was still laying mostly on Jack like he was. "You are touching me," hands on the small of his back and all, "but you won't hear me telling you not to."

[dadication]

"Would you be happier knowing any extended family?" He could understand the appeal, he supposed. At least there would be some kind of connection, but then again, it would be difficult for Gabriel given he was a gorgon and any extended family might demand proof. That couldn't be given without everyone turning to stone at the sight. "It is probably better off. They could be used against you if anyone knew."

He made no motion to dislodge Gabe from his torso, and he could feel the gorgon's breath against his face they came to rest their heads so close to each other. "In case I get wounded and you need to haul me off? Or so you can be my knight and save me from certain death?"

He was touching yes. As if to prove that point and maybe to make them both happy, he slid one hand up the length of Gabriel's back and the up so he could set his calloused finger tips to the gorgon's face. Like once before, he began to explore with soft touches, filling in the old imagine with new and old details. Fleshing it out. "What colour is your hair?"

[gr1m]

"No." Could be for the better than he keeps that piece of his father he had gotten to grow up with somewhat to himself and... let that be all of it. Bring no further danger to himself or whatever extended family there might have been.

His hair splayed out across scales, the snakes doing their part to keep it from falling on to his neck as they settled as well. "All the better to speak with you, and no worry of snakes being unable to pass anything to you in turn." He enjoyed talking with the hunter after all.

Couldn't help how he arched a little at the sliding hand, but any noise was at least kept to himself. Eyes closed so that Jacks fingertips could move over his face safely. "Dark brown- you've felt how long it is," and the fact it was waved.

[dadication]

Then it seemed that the family issue was a non-issue. If Gabriel wasn't going to look, Jack decided that it was no longer of any importance to pursue either. He could likely find them with enough time, but for now, it seemed to him that they were content with each other enough that what they had developed was what would sustain them. This friends business was already feeling pretty good.

He hummed in agreement. He didn't speak snake, and none of the ones that had come were very good at getting their points across. They mostly just hung out and slept on him because he was warm. "So you're keeping me around for my robust conversation skills," he murmured, lips twitching in a bit of a smile. "It's nice to know someone has my back too."

His fingers moved over cheeks, along jaw and across lips first. Then they were moving over Gabriel's brows, eyelids and that nose. Little smooth touches as he once again filled in the gaps his magical sight couldn't. "And your eyes?"

[gr1m]

Couldn't help but enjoy the touch, let himself be still and feel where fingers moved along his face. His beard was no doubt unkempt and longer than the last time simply because of how he'd been kept. At least it was smooth and clean. Scars still the same- "I must admit I do enjoy looking at you while we're talking."

A reminder that he had certainly meant it when he'd called Jack handsome, perhaps- "They're usually brown, but like this they're a little more... red." All the more inhuman, but it wasn't as if anyone had ever looked to see a gorgon's eyes and ever got to tell the tale of it.

[dadication]

How many people could Gabriel actually look at without some material obscuring his vision? Of course, there were plenty of blind people around, but they were usually beggars. Still, it opened opportunity for a gentle comfortable ribbing. "Do you say that to all the blind guys you meet, or am I just special?" He wasn't used to being called attractive after all.

He nodded his head as his fingers continued to explore, and by now he was up tracing the broad expanse of Gabriel's forehead. That he was familiar with given how often they were resting their foreheads together. "Like... the shade of wine or blood?" He could remember colour very distinctly after all.

[gr1m]

"You are so very special, Jack." It was hummed, fully relaxed there amongst his coils and under blankets. So very warm and comfortable, and he could so easily get use to falling asleep like this. Couldn't though, some small part of his mind kept reminding him when he found himself so incredibly comfortable. No matter what he wanted, could want.

Was quiet for a few seconds as he thought- "Like blood, how bright it is when first drawn in the dark," as if there was a fire burning behind his eyes, but that was how they were drawn at times. Like creatures from hell.

[dadication]

"You're going to make me blush with compliments like that," he said, giving Gabriel a tiny squeeze from the arm still around the gorgon's waist. His fingers continued their explorations still, now less looking for details and just simply touching. Few would put up with his need for touch after all, and it seemed that Gabriel thought to accept it as him putting the details on sight. "I can imagine what you fully look like. Deeply attractive that it's a shame no one can look upon you without turning to stone."

He liked the sound of those eyes and his hand finally shifted to curl around the back of Gabriel's neck. He leaned in enough to lightly brush their lips together, taking a dare on the matter. "Suits you. Let's get some sleep."

[gr1m]

Corner of his mouth twitched a bit, "Just highlight how nice your facial structure looks." Lightly spoken, but he meant every word of it with no reason to lie. Even if it was a touch teasing, arm squeezing around Jack in turn. "Suppose that makes you all the more lucky you've a way to cheat that." Magical sight, even if details are lost without something else to show them.

Eyes opened briefly at that brush of lips, Gabriel letting his own brush in turn of that dare. "Sounds good to me."

[dadication]

He snorted at the compliments and he figured that Gabriel was doing it to both be a smooth talker and encourage and flushing of his features to admire. No one complimented him like that, so he wasn't used to it, causing him to snuggle closer. "Makes both of us lucky I cheat like I do. Brought us together."

He sighed and shifted his face so he could bury it into Gabriel's neck. It was warm and nice smelling there, close to those snakes of Gabriel's hair which he had grown to trust too. He hugged the gorgon's torso close to his own, nestled in the thick coils of his body and allowed himself to relax and go to sleep.

[gr1m]

"I'm very glad of it, be a waste and a shame if you'd accidentally been turned to stone," and that was an honest truth. Seemed that Jack was someone who was safe around him, and in turn he felt he was safe around the hunter. He had wanted that for a long time, something he never spoke or let himself think of too long on the loneliest of times; enjoy it while he could.

He tucked his chin near the top of Jack's head, all the easier for him to bury his face, as Gabriel let out a breath. His eyes closed and it was soon enough that he fell asleep as well.

[dadication]

He hadn't thought that he would experience this kind of safety, but here they were. He hummed and settled in as his breathing evened out. No one and nothing would find them here unless specifically looking, so he felt just as safe for the two of them to sleep at the same time with the warmth coming off the fire.

He easily slept through the night, cuddled in close and dreams just a blank slate. No nightmares tonight, not with how cozy he was. He yawned in the early morning hours, thinking of waking but really not wanting to. All the same, he cracked an eye open when the morning light had begun to creep into the cave.

His fingers lazily stroked up and down Gabriel's spine, savouring that he could wake up slow and easy rather than jumping to his feet and having to check everything. This was nice.