Open Post

[dadication]

TBD

Comments

[gr1m]

"We're only going to take anything we absolutely need, a tarp and a few extra meds for pain and antibiotics. That's it," alongside selling off the extra oxygen tank. No longer than that; on top of a bike, but he figured that would be the easiest to do on the way out, and it was something he could do well enough, no matter his own condition; he'd stolen a ride in worse on missions gone too damn wrong. Not a good thing to have under his belt, but it was what it was.

His head tipped. "We might, just to be safe," but that also was going to be dependent not only on either of their conditions, but just where they were.

Kept a hand there, Gabriel trying to keep as much soothing energy as he could going through their bond and with his touch. Let Jack get what he needed. "You can keep watch and I'll clothing dive."

[dadication]

"Whatever fits in one bag, yeah," he agreed. They had food supplies to last a week, if they were careful with it. He figured they would continue to be fighting nausea for a few more days before settling out and need to really put back calories for healing. Right now, it was all about getting as far away from possible prying eyes with whatever they could. God he hoped neither one of them fell ill in that time.

He nodded slowly and carefully. "You'll... probably have to take first watch," he admitted softly, hating to do it. He hadn't slept well after Gabriel's second emotional release. "We'll see when we get to that point. I might be more awake by then."

He eased his way back up with the encouragement of support through their link. He was slow about it, coming up so as not to pull at the new sutures much. He turned so he could press a grateful kiss to Gabe's lips. "Don't trust me to get in there one-handed?"

[gr1m]

Thankfully the sniper had a good many MREs that would last them a week- if they were eating normally. With how they were the both of them could stretch it, but there was more food stored away at the Blackwatch bunker waiting for them. "It'll last us until we get somewhere safe, all we need," for the time being.

"I can do that," because it wouldn't be the first time he'd taken first watch while in poor condition, and he'd do it without question for Jack and himself. He had gotten more sleep, felt more rested, but he wasn't about to go running or do jumping-jacks, was just enough. "Don't worry about it, okay?"

Kept a hand on him in support, Gabriel leaning just enough to take and return that kiss, a soft nuzzle or sort following it. "Rather you not attempt one-handed. Be easier for me to sift through and toss out what we need to you."

[dadication]

He nodded his head as he sat up, trusting that they could make it last for as long as they had to. In the end, it seemed like all of this was going to be a crux of their survival. They hadn't failed to drag themselves out of terrible situations, but this one still felt like the worst in a very, very long time.

"I'm allowed to worry. It's literally all I have going for me right now," he pointed out, trying to tap into old dry humor, even if it fell flat here and there. He sighed at the nuzzling and nodded his head, upright enough to know he wasn't going to vomit right away. He looked at his well bandaged hand and then over to their pack. "I'll let you take lead on this endeavor then."

He pulled himself up to sit on his own power and wanted to lean in on Gabe again but decided against it. "We should finish packing. If you come across any long material, I should probably sling my arm a bit." Not only the gunshot wound but the break and everything in between.

[gr1m]

"Oh, you still got those pretty blue eyes I fell in love with." Old dry humor with a bit of teasing, the attempt was made, letting his hand fall away once he was sure Jack had his balance. Let him sit up on his own- "Just for now, once we've both recovered better we'll be working more as a team rather than just one of us calling the shots.

"Deal?" Do them both better.

Gabriel pulled himself over to the bags, closer at least, putting away the left over bandaging and all where it needed to go. "You're right there. I think there was something with the medical bag- like worse comes to worse we convert one bag in to a make-shift sling."

[dadication]

Slowly, he fluttered his very blond eye lashes at Gabriel while at the same time carefully chewing on his lower lip to show 'worry'. He managed another small kiss onto the partner of his life's lips. "Was that the first thing you fell in love with?"

He shrugged carefully, still very sore and trying to pick through the material that he hadn't ended up putting in the bag to see if it would be suitable for a make-shift sling for his arm. "As long as that lung doesn't collapse or cause issue again, in which case, I'm taking lead and you do what I say." A collapsed lung was much worse than a broken hand.

Slowly, he forced himself to his feet to leaf through and help pack the bags. He gathered what little clothing they had into two piles and made the attempt to climb into his pile, which was... such a mess. It was amazing it hadn't all fallen off the both of them when they had walked. "What's are ETA for leaving? Ten minutes or so?"

[gr1m]

That little kiss was returned, cupping Jack's face carefully in a hand after rolling his eyes a little dramatically at the whole show of it all. Little peck of a kiss, "First thing I noticed, first of many things about you I fell in love with."

They could and would pull something together, Gabriel slowly finishing the packing job Jack had started while keeping an eye out for any material he was sifting through that could be used for a ling. "Just means I can't push it- no jogging or running for me for a while," which wasn't good but hey. Better than changing a lung collapsing again.

Gabriel leaned back enough to get his eyes on a clock- "Fifteen to twenty, rather make it fifteen."

[dadication]

"Sweet. Always so good as boosting my self image," he remarked softly, appreciating that Gabe would actually say stuff like that. He reached between them and tugged on Gabe's goatee then reached to drag his fingers across the close-cropped hair. "Noticed that amazing fade of yours and that beard you were sporting. Then took in the whole package and couldn't have been happier."

He hobbled his way to his feet, and he shuffled off to gather things that would need to burn onto the bed. Anything of theirs they weren't taking but had handled. Towels, bedding, clothing fragments too small to wear. Anything that couldn't burn was discarded in a small garbage can to be removed when they left.

"No hauling yourself around either," he pointed out as he finished up, removing the towel he had been wearing to add to the pile on the bed. He then had the painful process getting dressed, wincing as he pulled on what was left of his compression shirt. Body armour had been lost in the blast. His pants... well, they covered the essentials and that's about it. After fifteen minutes, he approached Gabe with a soft whine. "Daddy, can you tie my shoes?" Because no way he had enough fingers to do it himself.

[gr1m]

"With a completely unbiased opinion, all the better," said just a little dryly, but that was pure and simple Gabriel Reyes. Nipping at fingers when they were near facial hair before just leaning against them once in his hair. Lazily and easy affectionate. "Not the fact that a man with such a mean scowl has the most adorable brown puppy dog eyes?" Easy teasing, too.

Kept an eye on Jack, even if he only watched from the corner of his vision while sorting through things, finally pulling up some fabric they could use to make a sling. Support well enough and hell, be at least a little more comfortable than not.

His nose wrinkled, "Little effort won't just make my lung collapse that easily," and besides, he might have to haul himself in to a clothes donation bin. Snorting at the whined daddy before gesturing for Jack to sit down at the nearest edge of the bed. "Yeah sure, just sit down and get them pulled on and I'll help you tie your shoes." Then he'd need to be pulling on what was left of his own clothing.

[dadication]

"Well, you are obligated to love every inch of me," he replied just as dryly as Reyes had done to him. They needed this kind of easy affection, reaffirming their link after the previous distance and coldness to each other. Assured they were still close and still very much bonded and in love. "Those damn brown puppy eyes are a weapon of mass destruction," he growled. "You never scowled at me when we first met. Too infatuated with me." More teasing.

He was struggling along, but shoes would be his bane for awhile. He was going to need to resort to velcro at some point he knew. Still, he forced his feet into his boots as carefully as he could, still sore. He would need them tied properly in case they needed to run and he couldn't risk them falling off his feet.

"I'm not risking you collapsing it again," he growled. Once he had his boots mostly on, he seated himself and stuck one foot out daintily at Reyes. "We're going to need to steal velcro shoes for me to do by myself." Ha ha, yes he was an idiot breaking his hand not once but twice.

[gr1m]

"There's a certain several inches that are a wonderful bonus in that," and of course he had to pull in a joke like that. Just to further try and keep things a little light and even warm. Of course the growl and tease got those big ol' brown puppy dog eyes aimed at Jack for a moment, pulling a matching face to go with them, "And you weren't infatuated with me in turn?" Still had it.

Gabriel sat on his knees as he got that offered foot and began tying Jack's boot for him, careful to get it just tight enough that there'd be no worry of losing it if they did have to run. Easier to not stumble over his own feet and all that. Didn't need that to worry over on top of everything else already there.

"I can't take a break and rest until we're out of here and somewhere safer," would have to risk it a little. His nose wrinkled again, "If we see any in your size on our way out. Or pick some up when we have to leave the bunker, meaning you have to deal with me helping you out for a bit."

[dadication]

"Oh, you have a few favourite inches of mine, is it?" He managed a small smile at the corner of his lips at that, not enough to pull the sutures that held them together but clear enough. Of course, he had to give Gabe a bit of a light swat for turning that look on him because he never could stand up to it. "You stop that right now, Gabriel Reyes. You know I can't resist that look." He shook his head a little. "I was wholly infatuated with you the moment I laid eyes on you."

He was thankful that Gabe was around to tie his shoes as it would be a real pain to do it himself. He figured they would be sleeping in these boots, so they had better be comfortable for days of travel.

"I know. You're in command, but you can lean on me to help where I can," he murmured softly. He didn't want Gabe pushing himself too much, even if at this point, Reyes was the one with the hand on the wheel. "I was joking... I'm not taking these off until we hit the bunker, okay? I've traveled in the same boots for days and weeks before." He rose now that his boots were tied and finished a final sweep of the place.

"Ready when you are."

[gr1m]

He hummed, "Oh, I definitely have a few favorite inches of yours." That grin just came right back when he was swatted at, ducking just a little to the side as he moved to tie that second boot right up all the while. All the better to get them both done, even while playing with Jack like that. "That love just kept getting stronger, too. First your eyes, your personality, then everything else about you, sunshine." Felt more than just lucky, even if they met in a place like SEP.

Could have spent a lifetime otherwise and never met the other considering their lies before it all.

Gabriel placed his hand against the bed and stood himself up slowly once Jack had pulled his feet back to himself. "Going to be leaning on you, Jack. Might push myself a bit out of worry for you, but I'm hoping you'll call my attention if I'm pushing too far- just like I'm going to be doing for you." Had to gather up what was left of his own clothing, letting the towel drop.

Finally dressing himself in what was left- "Give me a bit, jut make sure we've gathered everything we need to burn, and keep a cigarette or two out along with that lighter we found." Taking the matches and all with them- "You'll also need to let me get that sling fixed for you, I found some cloth we can use to make one."

[dadication]

"Well, you can't get too close those inches until I heal up," he remarked dryly, not that either of them planned for anything but more physical closeness for the comfort of sleep and healing he knew. He growled to pretend to be affronted as his second boot was tied securely, but that noise died off at the compliments, and he shook his head. "Smooth bastard... love that about you too when you decide to make use of it."

He watched Gabriel, making certain with a look that the older man wasn't going to have trouble remaining on his feet. They were both slow moving, and he knew that wasn't going to change no matter how much they might like it too. "Alright, I'll call it to your attention if you're pushing it," he agreed because what else could he do? They were going to need to push a certain amount to leave town safely.

He hobbled over to the pack that had been put together, and he crouched to pull out the cigarette package with its lighter and tossed it on the bed, then zipped up the pack. He hefted it one handed with a grunt and slung it over his better shoulder. "Tucking it works okay? Don't you need that material to cover up?" Gabe's clothing was in tatters after all.

[gr1m]

Gabriel hummed a little, "Oh, I can certainly wait because of how much I enjoy them. Sure that you'll be glad when I can get close to them, too." Really, he was glad for just ow easy it was to tease like that, something solid they could fall back on. Corner of his mouth twitched up in to a brief sort of grin, "Only for you, Jack. Only ever for you."

Really was counting on Jack, because Gabriel knew himself, how he would push beyond his limits if he had a mission in mind and needed to get it seen through to the end. Reason he'd ended up in medical often enough as it had been. "You know I'm going to do the same for you- or call a rest if I feel like we need to stop," if he felt like Jack was struggling too much. Be good for himself in turn, too.

It was slow going pulling on clothing, what was left of his hoodie was going on last, before he'd be able to sit down an pull his own boots on. "No, it's something I found in the bag. It'll be easier in the long run, and keep your arm from tiring out. I'm going to get my boots n and then you're going to let me get that fixed, okay?"

[dadication]

He wanted to glare but it came out more as him squinting at Gabriel. He definitely would appreciate when they could be intimate again, but he had no idea when that would be. All the news, the injuries, the traumas... he was just so happy Gabe was alive and with him. "Do I ever actually say no to you when you're in the mood?" He leaned in to nuzzle Gabriel, needing that contact to go with the words, leaning their foreheads together too. "I know. You're my one and only."

He knew they would have to at least have the energy to call each other out and keep one another in line, and that was going to happen once they left this place. "I just want us out of the city and away from whatever's left of Overwatch before we take a break. I can't be near it." He needed the space to process, but he also needed to be away from the news media with all its speculating and rumours.

He looked at his arm tucked close to his chest and considered arguing but then thought better of it. He grunted and didn't lift the pack to his back just yet, would wait for that sling, he supposed. "I'll wait for you then before I get this pack up and settled on my back. Probably shouldn't let the strap hit my arm, so I might need your help settling it properly."

[gr1m]

"Not really, no. You tend to be as well." They'd be as far away as they could get at such short notice, with so little on their side. They'd gotten through a lot, even if this was far worse in some emotional toll on top of physical. Still figuratively pulling themselves out of the rubble after doing it in the literal sense. Cupping one side of Jack's face as he kept his forehead rested there for a moment, "Going to have me for a long time coming, too." Be sure of it.

Kept sat there just on the edge of the bed, making sure his boots were on securely. "We will be, away from a lot of things on top of that." He'd get them as close to the bunker as possible, and as far out of the city as possible before taking the break- if they could stand to push it that much at least.

That pack was taken from Jack and set down for a moment, Gabriel already carefully guiding the arm of his broken hand to start the loose wrap of fabric for it, enough length he'd be able to knot the thing at his opposite shoulder. "You know you'll have my help, just let me get this." Be comfortable enough for what it was, "Remember that a sling can at least help prevent your arm from getting tired, feels like it takes some of the pain away. Sort of."

[dadication]

That was one of the perks of their bond, especially how strong it was. It was very, very easy to feed into Gabe's emotions, wants and desires when he opened up to it. Their bouts of intimacy was stronger than he had had with any other man for that reason. So yeah, he wasn't hard to get into the mood when Gabe was, and vice versa. "Not hard to get into it when you're hanging around," he replied dryly but in a teasing way. "That better be true, or I'll find your ghost and make it haunt me."

All these risks and pushing themselves, but it was necessary at this point. Too little information, no one to actually trust, and people who clearly wanted them dead. He shook his head as he thought about it, but he also didn't fight as Gabe forced him to put the pack back down so that his broken arm could be wrapped into a sling. He helped where he could as it was tied and secured, allowing his arm support without his body having to expressly use energy to keep it up. "It adds pressure to other areas but... off my wrist and hand at least."

He shifted once it was finished, carefully rolling his shoulders so the sling settled and he was able to reach down and pick up the pack again. He slung it across his back, needing Gabriel to be free to start the fire, to jump in whatever donation bin they come across and to drive. "Let's be off. I'm getting antsy in this place and I don't know how long my energy will hold out."

[gr1m]

There was still a little kiss planted at the corner of Jack' mouth even with that little dry teasing, "Then I think we'll do just fine when the time comes, huh?" Corner of his mouth twitching, and he couldn't help that fond look that crossed his expression at the comment, "Better make that a promise, and you know I'll be keeping your ghost with me just to torment you if you ever break it."

They had to do what they had to do, even with them both knocked so low. Nodding a bit, adjusting what he could of that make-shift sling to still try and make it as comfortable as possible. Just had to support his arm, keep the broken wrist and hand stable; not cut off circulation. "Say something if we need to adjust it further down the road, okay?" Had better.

Gabriel did one last look over before he was taking that lighter and one of the cigarettes, one last look to make sure they weren't forgetting anything. "Alright." Lighting the cigarette and taking a pull to get it going, nose wrinkled, blowing out that smoke and tossing it on the bed along with the still lit lighter. Was tugging Jack with him and making sure that door locked behind them; all the better to make sure it had time to catch and burn. "Keep close."

They were out of there.

[dadication]

Jack nodded his head about the sling that was supporting his arm, aware he would have to admit if it was giving him trouble. They were going to be on the move too much not to have good communication about what was going down around them. He waited, watched as Gabriel set the scene of their escape and had the door open a sliver so they could slip out quickly.

He pulled up the hood on his stolen jacket, and he made no effort to stop Reyes from tugging him out of the room that was a mess of their DNA and signs that they had survived. He followed Reyes away from the hotel, keeping to the shadows, and they made a quick escape down the street and deeper into the slums where it was much easier to hide.

People would take one look at their hooded heads and leave them well alone. It took twenty minutes to find a clothing donation bin, and it was actually a relief to stop hurrying along actually. There were a couple of bags that hadn't made it in the bin itself, but all the clothing was children's or women's. Nothing that would fit them.

"...seems like you're going in. Should we risk it here or keep moving?"

[gr1m]

"Just keep watch for me, knock on the side if something seems off. Okay?"

With that Gabriel was moving closer, catching the lip of the bin to push it open and, well. Hauled himself up and in, vanishing in to the clothing donation bin with a muffled sort of thud in there. A bit dark, but he had a clip on flashlight he'd dug out of one of the bags clipped to the collar of the jacket flicked on. All the better to find things that fit them, collecting anything and everything he could grab.

Mostly things they could pull on and things they could easily cram in to the bag they were carrying. Just enough room left to put some things in, mostly for added warmth in case they ran in to some severely cold nights while out on the road.

A few things he was pushing out through the top wit a knock from the inside to catch Jack's attention. Things for him to catch a hold of that wouldn't give him any trouble.

[dadication]

"Alright. In you go."

He waited in the shadow of the bin, keeping a weathered eye out. His hearing was still buggered from the blast, but he was keen to look while Gabriel did the hard work of sifting through the clothing that was inside. He stayed close enough to be able to see the bin donation slot but far enough away that it wasn't as if he were waiting for anything more than maybe a drug deal.

He moved in to take the clothing that was shoved out, not bothering with looking at it but immediately trying to stuff it in their pack to fill it out more. It was difficult with one arm and some of it he just ended up throwing over his shoulder as he waited for more. All the while, he was on look out but so far, they were safe.

[gr1m]

It was mostly items that would be easy to fit, and only a couple pairs of jeans he figured would easily fit Jack. That was all he dared outside of stretch fabric when it came to pants. Socks and shirts and only grabbed unopened packs of underwear for both their sakes. Was rushing himself all the same, keeping a time limit in his head as he sifted and sorted.

Only once that run out, if Jack didn't knock on the bin himself, was he then making the effort to climb back up and haul himself out. A bag over his own shoulder stuffed with other clothing, something he'd found in there.

"Watch out."

Only warning before he was dropping down with a sight wince at impact, straightening himself up- "Ready?" He'd help get things in the bag Jack was carrying himself if he needed to.

[dadication]

There was no reason to knock, though he could tell that some drapes shifted to indicate people were peeking out. No one passed by in the street this early, but in the distance, he could hear the sound of sirens. Maybe their room had been discovered smoldering. Maybe it was completely unreleated.

He eased out of Gabriel's way, noting the bag and nodding his head. It would suit them just fine it would seem. Thankfully new clothing would actually cover them and give them some anonymity.

"Let's get out of here and figure stuff out a couple of blocks from here," he murmured, not wanting to hang around. He knew they would fatigue quickly, and he felt a prickle of paranoia to be away from this place. He nodded head and led them away down some darkened alleyways.

He only stopped when they could hide behind a dumpster where it was particularly dark. "We should change. We'll look less suspicious with clothing that isn't blown out."

[gr1m]

No more having to wear the hooded EMT jacket and draw attention that way either, there had been plenty of hoodies, amongst other jackets.

"Following your lead, sunshine." Because he'd climbed around in the bin, willing to let Jack take lead in getting them somewhere darker and private after that. Give and take, because he sure as Hell didn't want him feeling useless already. This was good, him wanting to take some lead where he could.

Rested his hand against the back of Jack's head then, just to press his forehead against his briefly. "Yeah, want me to help you? Then you can keep watch while I change." Because of Jack's hand and wrist. Be faster to let Gabriel help him get dressed.