dadication | IC Inbox

You exaggerate and you know it, boy scout. Might've felt like it, but I know better.

[People had always found it easy to tease Morrison after all, those who really knew him at the very least. The man outside of the painted picture of the Strike Commander.

He kept his head rested there against Jack's shoulder, humming a little. Honestly, it was a relief to not hear any more wanting peeps. She was getting exactly what she wanted at last.]

I don't even want to imagine that possibility, honestly. Good with what we've got now for the most part. Animal-wise.

Oh were you there watching me shower then?

[Those that knew him could easily crack the Commander Morrison front that he put up, and he was as willing to give a good ribbing as he was to receive it. It was a shame that the pressure of their situation prevented too many more parties like that, though they still tried a Halloween Party now and again.

He lifted his other hand to cup Gabe's cheek and stroke his fingers over it too. It was good to have Gabe relaxed like that.]

Right? I think that would get out of hand quickly. Though, you still adopt anything that comes in the yard.

I saw your hair daily, not a bit of cake of frosting, and you definitely didn't smell like vanilla.

[They always tried, whenever any of them happened to be in the same place when time rolled around. It couldn't be helped when something had any of them called off elsewhere. The point was that they tried, right?

His head tilted against Jack's hand, and really it was nice to be able to relax like this. Sometimes he just needed that reassurance, even if just physically, that he was wanted.]

Very, very quickly- and I do not. All animals I've adopted came from outside the yard.

[He could joke right back about that.]

You know, I wouldn't actually put it past you to be checking my hair every single day. You know you have an obsession with my hair, right? It's not healthy.

[He shook his head as if he were disappointed when he was no such thing in fact. The most Gabe tried these days was to mess up any work that he did to have it in any semblance of the old way, which he suspected was a hint to just leave it messy and stop worrying about what his thinning hair was doing.

He looked over at the blue chocobo still sleeping next to them, and he paused in petting to scratch the side of his nose. She didn't wake this time, which allowed him to have his hand back, though he made no motion to rise and leave her there.

Instead, he reached out to tangle his fingers in with Gabe's.]

That's definitely not better, you realize? That's actually way worse.

Wouldn't say I'm the one with the obsession.

[There'd be some pointed look, but Gabriel was far more happy with his head where it was and simply nuzzled. Just some drawn out teasing that was no where near as interesting as what was being done, really. Content right where he was.

Fingers tangled right with Jack's, able to remain relaxed right there where he was.]

Probably.

You're the one wanting to touch it and look at it apparently.

[He knew it wasn't an obsession, but he could needle at Gabe all the same. He passed his hand over to stroke the older man's cheek and scratched his fingers through Gabe's goatee.

Their fingers together squeezed, and he hummed low in his throat.]

I'd say you need a hobby, but you have way more hobbies than I do or most other people.

Ah, but there's your mistake! It isn't just your hair I want to touch and look at.

[Leaning still in to that touch, tone dry but still a lightness to it that made the playfulness to it clear as day for someone who knew him as well as Jack did. Just how Gabriel was at times, really.

Squeezed in turn, too.]

Very nice hobbies at that, thank you.

So it's more than one part of me you like to look at and touch.

[He made it sound like obsession, raising his eyebrows as if such a confession was extremely risky business. His fingers lightly scratched at Gabe's goatee affectionately.]

I suppose so. As long as you enjoy them and get to prattle on with old women.

Would you rather I not look and touch you at all? Because hey, say the word, it's starting to sound a lot like that to me.

[While Jack walked himself out on to a very thin and sharp line if he really wanted to continue on that route of his.

Even with eyes closed and such a look of contentment on his face.]

You like the socks one of those hobbies gets you.

If you're going to give up on me that easily with a little teasing, can I really think you'll be so loyal in the tough times?

[He knew Gabe was loyal. They had been loyal to each other since they were young, foolish men with a determination to save the world. They did that and ended up remaining just as loyal to each other. The change that they were dating only solidified more to him that their loyalty was bone deep, that they would do for each other more now than ever.

He leaned in to kiss Gabe's cheek, nuzzling the side of his face with his nose.]

They are warm and cozy socks, yes.

Can you call it giving up when you're talking like it's such an awful thing you're having to put up with?

[Very clear that his loyalty wasn't being questioned, just some stupid bit of back and fourth teasing from the both of them.

His head turned, all the better to capture Jack in a kiss as he slid a hand up to rest against the back of his head. Pretty easy with that arm already wrapped around him after all.]

Still glad you like them.

As if. I like it when you touch me and look at me, just maybe not when I have cake in my hair.

[Not that that happened anymore. He glanced at the sleeping chick, and she was definitely out cold. He supposed that meant that they had this moment all to themselves now. It was a good thing, relaxed and comfortable like this.

He closed his eyes when their lips met, enjoying himself. Definitely no hard feelings about teasing at all.]

I'll be cursing you for them when the weather is cold in the morning but hot in the afternoons.

Then be glad I won't push your head in to a cake anytime soon, huh?

[Jack might have missed his, but if they were still here when Jack's came up? Well, he'd make him a vanilla cake and while he might smoosh a bite on to the man's face, he wouldn't shove his face in to an entire cake.

Let that kiss linger a bit, soft and sweet, filled with affection.]

I can make something for that.

How kind of you. [Dryly. So, so dryly.

He had no idea how long he would be here for, had no idea if his birthday would roll around and certainly didn't expect anything but a small celebration of it. They had done that for Gabe's birthday anyway, so he expected the favour to be repaid in kind if they were here that long. Hopefully, he wouldn't wear too much of whatever Gabe made him.

He slid a hand to the back of Gabe's head to hold on, to let the kisss linger between them.]

Going to make me socks for all seasons, huh?

[He hummed against Jack's lips in a Aren't I just? to that statement, a further tease before he was letting them both simply enjoy that kiss. That bit of contact. It was the simple things that needed to be enjoyed at times after all.

Fingertips grazed Jack's scalp just a bit.]

May as well? They'll last you longer.

[He let that go, aware it was a lost cause because Gabe actually was kind to him for the most part. They were both battle-hardened men, and yet sometimes he forgot that when they kissed like this, full of emotion and affection for each other.

He nodded his head before leaning his head on Gabe's shoulder this time.]

They've lasted well so far. You know I'm hard on my socks.

[Gabriel rested his hand against the back of Jack's head, letting fingers comb through his hair slowly once his head rested there against his shoulder. Sometimes it was better to let themselves have moments of softness- more often than not these days. Something reassuring about it, oddly enough.

Like now.]

Definitely do, and all the more reason to keep you supplied just in case.

[He closed his eyes with a sigh and enjoyed the contact, letting it warm him in ways that had nothing to do with body heat. The quiet moments were as necessary as their loud and pushy moments, settling out their rough edges and all the other baggage that they carried with them.

He hummed.]

That's awful kind of you. I'll wear them with pride.

Have the coziest of feet around, warm or cool.

[Through it all, they would always get to have moments like this, and it mattered a hell of a lot. All the more reason Gabriel was happy to remain there so long as Jack was willing, really.]

Seems like that will be the case.

[He gave their laced fingers an affectionate squeeze and savoured the moment himself. Of course, that moment couldn't go on forever and the fluffy blue chick woke with soft peeps, realized they were still down in the basement with her, and she rose to stumble over to a warm lap to settle in for a much longer nap.

Jack used his free hand to pull over part of the blanket she had been sleeping on and pull it over to wrap around her.]

Seems like we might be here awhile.

[Gabriel couldn't help the soft chuckle, an eye having cracked open at the sound of even soft peeping. Squeezing Jack's hand in his a bit as he let out a soft breath. Well, could be worse.]

Seems like, yeah. You going to be okay with it?

[Of course he had to check.]

[This was going to take some getting used to, but he had raised enough orphan animals to know they needed warmth and a safe space to sleep. This little one's parents were dead, so now she had to have a foster family and that was them now that he had brought her here. It was for him to mull over his complex feelings about.]

I suppose I could use a nap too. [He gave a little shrug.

No way he was getting up and disturbing her now. Plus, Gabe next to him was warm and comfortable, and he definitely liked their fingers entwined as they were. He nestled his head against Gabe's and settled in for some light shut-eye himself.]

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