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[dadication]

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[dadication]

Jack wasn't certain how long it would take them to recover, if they ever would completely. Right now, it was all about survival, running on what little adrenaline that they had left and even then, they would take any and all perceived slights to the extreme. Desperate to take care of each other, desperate to stay together but still riling the other up at the same time. They had lost everything but each other, but they had both completely unraveled as well.

The more he was slowly exposed to Gabriel's pain and exhaustion, the more he allowed his own to peek through, forcing himself to give instead of hiding it. He would feel terrible if he overwhelmed Reyes, but the whole current battle was because he was hiding, unwilling to allow treatment or care unless unable to stop it from happening. He forced himself back into that give and take modality.

He remained at Gabriel's back, arm tucked tight and supportive. His other hand was useless at this point so he could only nuzzle and be there as the older man cried near silent. A broken man. They both were. He began to hum a low tune, trying a different mode of comfort than usual. It worked for his ma, so why not for him, right? Humming was soothing.

[gr1m]

Would take time and effort on both their parts, but some things would never heal, while others had every chance to do so. They'd get through it, together, even if there were bumps and rough patches, would pull through it.

There wasn't much lower that Gabriel could go at least, the second time he had broken down when the last it had ever pushed him to this point had been years and years ago. At least with this they wouldn't feel so alone, even if physically it was clear, and there was something better about no longer holding it all back. The lock down lifted completely, all of it there to be felt between the both of them.

At the very least, after a while, Gabriel did start to relax; slowly but surely. Sunk back against Jack, that grip on his arm never leaving.

[dadication]

They had never failed to heal on some level, and they do so again. Physically, they would come out of this with scars, but they would come back to their usual physicality as well. Mentally and emotionally were different scars, and he knew that they would leave their invisible marks on them no matter how much he and Gabe might try to pass it off. It would take time, and there would be plenty of missteps like what they were doing to each other in this room.

He held his bond close, offering a physical comfort while Gabe cried himself out for a second time. He didn't join in, but he knew that it was likely he'd have his own breakdown in future. For now it was Gabriel's turn and he was there to help the older man through it, his arm remaining tight and steely in support.

When the lock down on their link was lifted completely, he felt a nauseating wave of grief, pain, and isolation. It was so similar to his own that he hesitated in opening himself completely but in the end, he decided it would be best for them both if the emotions flowed freely between them again. His own emotions came with an undertone of anger and fear.

He lay there with Gabriel, refusing to move away for as long as his bond needed him.

[gr1m]

They'd get through it all the same, for each other.

Gabriel needed Jack, even if he couldn't voice it that solid grip on his arm was enough to show how much he was needed. How much he was wanted right there with him, no matter what had been said or done earlier. Even while it felt like the tears wouldn't stop, how much his chest hurt from the silent sobs, trembling under the force of it all on top of how injured he was.

What came from Jack's end was expected at least; knew he was angry and afraid. Gabriel was as well, that own anger and frustration mixed in with all of it, rocked by it all and at least not holding it all in. Letting their emotions mix in that turbulent mess that the both of them were.

Holding that much tighter on to Jack, a sound finally escaping and it was just a sob that nearly choked him.

[dadication]

Jack knew. No words were necessary for him to know that Gabriel needed him because the reverse was true for him. He shifted his face carefully so that he could come to rest his cheek into the curve of Gabe's neck, buffered by that shoulder, using it to hook his chin. They were bonded; they would always find relief, support and love in that link that they shared together.

While Gabe sobbed silently, trembling in his grip, he remained the strong one, remained supportive and solid. He held on, refusing to leave, aware that eventually, the reverse of this situation would come to pass.

And their emotions ran and bled together, and there was relief in that. Their emotions ebbed and flowed together, and he tried to hold it together in the face of them. He forced himself to stay open, to allow Reyes to know the bright spots of pain not only on his person but emotionally. Let one another share their burdens.

"Let it all out," he whispered. "Let it go. You'll feel more exhausted but better all the same. I'm here with you."

[gr1m]

In the end, even before when they had to steal time, they would find a way to come back together in the end of all things. No matter the argument caused by stress, pressure on either end, they always tried to support the other. Be there when they could, and even no proved no different, even if now it was enough to crush them.

It was too much and everything that was needed all at once, but Gabriel didn't allow himself to lock back down either. The frustrations born of so many reasons, the helplessness caused by Jack denying to let him help, let him do anything to help, brushing each attempt off- and the hurt when that was tied to anger, the freshness of that flowing along with that caused by what led them to where they were now.

For the first time Gabriel allowed himself to audibly sob, even if that hand remained over his mouth. No longer biting in to his own palm and drawing more blood to silence himself, listening and letting it all out. Exhausting himself with it until he was once more silent, breathing still a bit erratic, but no where nearly as bad.

That hold on Jack's arm never let go all the while.

[dadication]

Jack wanted to believe this was a hiccup, that their exhaustion pushed them to extremes that wouldn't hold up when they were more reasonable. He needed to believe that Gabriel wouldn't leave him, not after all they had been through, not with that hand gripping his arm like Gabe might well take it off if he tried to withdraw. There was no chance that he would even try.

They had lost everything except each other or so it felt like.

As Gabriel sobbed, he listened to those sounds. They reminded him of last night when they had both broken down, how they had cried on each other. He hugged Reyes tighter, supporting and comforting as he could. He knew they would have to wrap that hand that Gabe had been biting, but now was not the time to bring anything of the like up. Just let Gabriel cry himself out.

"Do you want to sleep now?"

[gr1m]

"Will you stay?"

His voice sounded worse than it had when they'd crawled out of the rubble in a way, grip tightening on Jack's arm as if he were afraid he'd leave. Tired as he was, left room for that little bit of fear to dig in. Vulnerable in the state where he'd finally managed to cry himself out.

Hoping it was a hiccup, one that might happen while they were both so hurt and at such a state where the tiniest thing could set them off. No matter how badly they wanted to take care of each other, protect. The best of intentions but the most frayed of nerves.

[dadication]

Gabe sounded awful, but crying always seemed to do that. He nuzzled the side of the older man's neck and sighed at the question. There was no way he could leave now; Gabriel needed him more than ever. "I will stay with you, yes. Think you should sleep since you sound exhausted."

There was no room to sneak out to do what he felt he needed to. No, this had to be them sticking together. He put the idea of revenge for what was happening aside for the time being, resting behind Gabe and trying to comfort the older man. He added a kiss to the side of Gabe's neck, tightening his hold so it was clear he wasn't going anywhere.

"I'll watch over you."

[gr1m]

Felt he had to ask, like if he didn't no matter how illogical the thought was, the moment he was out Jack would be gone. Still clung, a twist of it could even be felt through the connection with how open it was. Vulnerable with the only person he could ever be that way with and still feel safe—

"I don't know if I can." Sleep.

No matter how physically tired he was, no matter how mentally and emotionally exhausted all of the crying and letting it out had been. He would no doubt, there was no winning what wasn't even a fight against sleep after all. Still, Gabriel didn't know if he could.

[dadication]

With the bond open and passing back and forth their degraded emotional state, there was no way that he could up and pull himself away. He had a habit of sticking close to Gabriel after missions where their link had to be locked down, and this was no different. If anything, sticking close was even more necessary because he thought he would come completely unraveled if their bond shut down again.

"Rest then," he murmured as a compromise. "We are going to have to be ready and leave in about eight hours."

He suspected that Gabriel would eventually sleep, maybe not long but sleep enough to recover some energy. He also suspected he would as well, though the moment he moved his broken hand or wrist, he'd be awake and unhappy all over again.

[gr1m]

"Gotta hit up a drug store," because going through what they needed to do after they left was all he could think to do. Even as he kept that hold on Jack's arm, Gabriel as tucked back against his chest as possible. "Get some sort of clothing before that- can't keep running with just what's left of our clothing and EMT jackets," his voice was shot, like it hurt to speak, but there he was.

Breathing a little better at the very least? It was something. "Snag some ride- motorcycle... probably best."

Was going to drift off in to unconsciousness even while he spoke, that exhausted by it all. Even if it wouldn't be for long

[dadication]

"We'll worry about that later," he murmured softly, aware that neither of them were in the condition to be running off to steal things just yet. They might have to break into other places for clothing, but for now, it was better that Gabe slept to recover for the hours that they had left.

He still snorted softly. "You want me on or driving a motorcycle? That will be exciting." He wasn't going to be able to wear a face helmet, though it would have solved a lot of their problems. They would be too tight to get over his face, probably kill some sutures along the way.

He remained awake for a little while then bunkered down himself now that their bond was safe and open and dozed behind Gabe. It lessened the urge to go wandering.

[gr1m]

He hummed a little, at least making it clear he was listening, even if the worry would still be there. The plan at least not just trapped inside of his head in silence. But- "Can't drive with your hand- would have to be behind and hold on," to Gabriel while he drove. He didn't like driving mostly because of life in LA, but he could. "Easiest to hide or ditch, what we need."

Quick and maneuverable as well, but that was the last thing he said, mumbled and dying off as he was out like a light. The sleep deep enough that it was likely going to be as restful as it possibly could given conditions. Wouldn't sleep the full eight hours of course, had only the smallest boosts from what little food he ate for his healing as well.

But he never let go of Jack's arm.

[dadication]

He waited until Gabriel had fallen asleep before he sighed heavily and rested his head against the back of the other man's neck. "Wouldn't be the first time I've driven with one hand," he whispered to no one in particular. He lifted his head to look at his bruised hand above his head and wiggled his fingers slightly, causing a twitching wince from him. Definitely made a mess of it.

While he dozed, he would quick to wake and take in their surroundings. His brief bouts were only minutes at a time, guarding his sleeping bond as much as possible. Not particularly restful, but he didn't want to miss their time for the owner to show up looking for more money.

He never tried to withdrawal from Gabriel who seemed to be sleeping well and deeply, the cry and the situation taking its toll where exhaustion came to play.

[gr1m]

It was about two hours before their time for the owner to come knocking for more money that Gabriel would wake up. Starting to stir as that deep sleep turned in to something more fitful, something that was rare whenever he was sleeping near Jack, but perhaps it spoke for just how bad this situation was for them.

Nails dug in to Jack's arm, Gabriel's grip tightening before he did finally jerk in to being awake, breathing quick and shallow, but otherwise didn't move or speak. Made himself keep still, loosen his grip, because he could still feel and tell it was Jack pressed so close to him.

Bit of a whiplash, but it was fine. Clearly fine.

[dadication]

Jack came out of his own dozing when Gabriel began to thrash and jerk in front of him, and he lifted his head as the grip on his arm tightened alarmingly. He made a noise of confusion before he recognized what was happening, but by that point, Gabe had also awakened. He flexed his fingers, tugging on his arm which had made every effort to go to sleep itself by that point.

He moaned and buried his face into his arm, having forgotten it was held together with sutures and jerked it up when pain flared along the healing lacerations and bruising. He shifted to sit up carefully on one elbow so he could look for the clock.

"...we need to pack up. You want to shower or eat before we go?"

[gr1m]

"Shower- you can try to eat." Better to get clean to the point that he wouldn't look much more like ht had just crawled out of hell. "Will you let me wrap your hand to give it some support? Bit of bandaging, but mostly medical tape," to protect certain areas of skin from the tape itself. Better than just walking around without stabilizing it a bit.

Slowly pushing himself to sit up, grabbing hold of a digital clock off the bedside table on his side of the bed.

"I'll see if I can eat something after a shower."

[dadication]

He decided to nod at the idea of eating, not certain how much he would be able to stomach, but maybe a nibble or two on a protein bar. The MRE had gone cold in the hours of Gabe sleeping, though it would probably be packed with a bit more calories for him to live off of.

"Yeah fine, you can wrap my hand," he agreed grudgingly. He still wasn't convinced it would help do anything but draw attention to them. "I'm going to need you to look at my side too, make sure the bleeding stopped." He slowly tried to right himself, but the sheets came with him, adhered to his blooded side from dried clotted blood. Ah... that wasn't going to help.

"Go shower and I'll try to disentangle myself here."

[gr1m]

Better cold than nothing at all, and if he tried that mean he'd get something now- which again would be a lot better than nothing at all. Needed to give their bodies enough to work with in order to heal quickly, because the last thing either of them needed was their bodies cannibalizing itself to get what it needed.

He stood up, very slowly, glancing back at Jack with half a frown- "Wash the blood with a wet cloth and I'll fix that- after my shower. Don't need you bleeding through what clothing we do have." Maybe grab a pair of mittens to put over both hands, it was cold enough this time of year here after all.

"Be careful, sunshine."

With that he was vanishing in to the bathroom to shower and see about what he could salvage from his own clothing.

[dadication]

Jack waited until Gabe rose and disappeared into the bathroom before he tried to actually disentangle himself from the sheets. Without stripping the bed, there was no way to get a cloth, so he carefully teased them free with some time and effort, only disturbing some of the clots.

He rose slowly from the bed, stretching because he hadn't been laying in an ideal position to begin with, but that was fine. He grabbed a protein bar from their pack of things, opening it and breaking off pieces. Unfortunately, it was too difficult and chewy on his face that he gave up after a few bites and ate the cold MRE instead, which was difficult with one working hand.

Still, he managed and even held it down as he began to systematically go through their packs and consolidate items together into one. The less they had to take with them, the better in his mind.

[gr1m]

Gabriel was just busying himself in getting most of the dried blood and... everything else off. Fortunate his hair was still short enough he didn't have to worry much about it. All the better reason to keep that buzz cut, just fuzzy and enough to grip at since he hadn't had time to shave it back down yet. Watching the filthy water circle the drain in silence.

Only stepped out once the water was running clean enough, careful as he had checked over stitching just to make sure he didn't get them too wet. Better for the both of them in the long run. Grabbing a towel and stepping out in the middle of Jack sifting through the bags.

Was needed, moving what was left of the medical bag in to the other, keep them to one bag and the rifle they'd taken. "Need some help?"

[dadication]

He looked up when the bathroom door opened and he winced as he had a good sight of the many wounds that Gabriel sported but with the dirt and grime removed, the bruising was as apparent as his own. They really had been put through the ringer, blackened and purple patches of skin showing the severity of their bruising on top of everything else.

At least they were clean.

He grunted softly at the question, nodding because doing this one handed wasn't ideal. He had his bruised and swollen hand and wrist tucked close to his chest as much as possible, but he had been forced to use a pinky finger here and there to open the folds of the bag. "Do we need to bring that last oxygen tank?"

[gr1m]

"No, can use it to hurry along any fire we start burning this shit out," because their blood was on the sheets and- they had to cover their tracks, even if it may have seemed like an overly paranoid way to go about it. Couldn't trust that it wouldn't be looked at.

Gabriel moved down, crouched just beside Jack, to help sort their things in to one bag. "Remember to leave enough out to re-do some of your stitching and to wrap your hand with. It'll at least help pad it out and give some needed stability," even if not make it hurt any less, it was better than nothing- "We're taking the rifle with us." Right then it was their only weapon after all.

Worry about pulling clothing together soon enough.

[dadication]

"That kind of explosion will draw attention to this place," he reasoned softly. With the ambulance burned out and then an oxygen tank exploding... it might put down a trail they would rather not have anyone follow. "What about a cigarette in the bedding? Easy enough to explain away."

He hesitated then grunted as he packed up their bag as carefully as he could, leaving out bandage materials and some suture and needles for Gabe to make use of. He glanced towards the rifle and shrugged his shoulders. "I can't use one right now, so it will be your weapon of choice for the time being." One of the reasons he had damaged himself. The temptation to just run out and kill those responsible was less if he didn't have a physical means.

He looked over to Gabe crouched next to him. "Your sutures have held from the shower?"