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[dadication]

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[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.

[gr1m]

Gabriel slept easily and deeply himself, coils never moving and it was just... so much more comfortable sleeping against Jack like this. Both of them under a blanket while another covered the rest of his body, didn't mind acting partially as a bed for the sake of this sort of warmth and closeness.

Still slept even when Jack awoke, shifting a little at that stroking, but that just pressed is chest closer against the hunter's. Curled against him with a soft and almost pleased sound escaping Gabriel in his sleep.

[dadication]

With no sight, he used touch to assess what Gabriel's state of wakefulness and he hummed as the gorgon pressed in closer until their chests were settled together. His arm curled comfortably around Gabriel's waist while the one that had settle across the gorgon's shoulders shifted to search for the little snakes that made up Gabriel's hair.

He figured they would be watching out, not even certain if they actually slept. He wanted to touch them as he had during the nap. Blind, his fingers quested curiously but openly so the snakes knew he was coming and could avoid him if necessary.

All the while, his bare feet stroked back and forth against the thick coils of Gabriel's body both to touch and for friction to produce some more warmth.

[gr1m]

Those snakes were awake, and a few of them moved to meet those questing fingers, tongues flicking out a bit as bodies brushed. The other snakes would join slowly as well, all the while the gorgon himself continued to sleep peacefully. There was no reason for him to stir just yet, and the snakes weren't about to alert him while they were getting attention.

Safe, there was warm safety here. All Gabriel did was keep himself under blankets and his face tucked against Jack's neck this time. Nuzzling where neck met shoulder and settled still once more.

His scales were smooth and warmth built up gradually from that friction.

[dadication]

His fingers found their long bodies, and he bumped them back before stroking their undersides and just under their chins. He liked to feel them, liked knowing that they were always watching over them both and they had it in them to either let Gabe sleep or wake the gorgon. He hummed with a low sound in his throat, as if telling them a secret. How much information transferred from them to Gabriel he didn't know, but he imagined it was a lot.

"Hush, let him sleep," he murmured softly to the snakes. "We can have a time together, yes?" He didn't know if the snakes had names, if they were just all Gabriel. His head tipped as he said those words though, allowing Gabriel's face deeper into the crook of his neck.

He liked the feel of those scales, the warmth of them. He definitely liked this body that Gabriel could obtain, as much as the humanoid form.

[gr1m]

They were all Gabriel simply because the gorgon thought of them as weird little extensions of himself; but for all they cared Jack could name them if he so wished it. Little nicknames or whatever he fancied and they'd likely move in response to it. They hissed softly and moved against every little touch affectionately.

One even wound loosely around the hunter's wrist and others kept moving against his hand. Another hiss in reply, fine with them having some time as Gabriel slept.

Slept he did, too. Face tucked away, breathing deeply as his own tongue flicked out slightly. Some little tired habit when like this as if it was needed. Coils still keeping the two of them nested together snug and warm in those blankets.

[dadication]

Gorgons were fascinating creatures, and this might have been the first time in his entire life that he was glad to be blind. This was an opportunity that he would have never had otherwise, trapped on his little farm living a normal life. Instead, his fingers caressed snake hair and the corners of his lips twitched in a smile as they seemed to respond.

He twitched at the feel of that tongue against his neck, fingers dipping down to massage Gabriel's scalp before turning to touching the little snakes. He nuzzled his nose against Gabriel's temple lightly, not wanting to disturb the gorgon's sleep.