Action

[passedover]

[It’s morning. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and there are two new arrivals around town who seem convinced that something very suspicious is going on here. Dressed in what can only be described as tactical gear, they’re clearly some kind of military, and appear to be acting accordingly. In a situation like this, the best course of action is obviously to fall back on instinct in an attempt to get to the bottom of whatever this is supposed to be. For these two, that means proceeding with caution.

Clearly there’s nothing questionable about two men carrying big guns through farms and fields, speaking to each other quietly as if to keep from being overheard. Keeping together, never straying far from the other, or lingering too long in a single area. Not at all questionable, or scary, or yeah no what are these two idiots doing.

They’re doing recon, of course! And they’re fairly thorough about it, methodically searching, poking around, overturning anything that looks questionable and possibly pointing guns at it. Was that thing yours? Sorry, it’s being inspected now. Do you live in this house? No problem, they’re just going to check around back. See or experience anything strange during your stay? No? Are you sure?

Or maybe you just come across them while going about your business. They’re obviously friendly with each other, even if they’re regarding everything else with some degree of wariness. It seems like a great idea to approach, if only to ask what the heck they think they’re doing.]

(ooc: It’s a two for one deal with Jack strikecommand and Gabriel passedover. We’ll both be replying to all threads unless otherwise requested.)

Comments

[strikecommand]

Yeah, unless you want to make sure McCree doesn't get into trouble.

[They've done their fair share of exploring today, but Jack thinks they could stand to investigate a little more around town. Doublecheck anything they've missed while they're out shopping.]

[passedover]

He'll be fine, hard as I am on him Jesse's a good kid.

[There was that trace of fondness to his voice as he trailed up after Jack, some light pat to the back of a shoulder while he was at it. Just some brief brush of touch.]

[strikecommand]

I know.

[Gabriel has an eye for talent, after all, and they've come to appreciate Jesse in the few years they've known him, even with all his quirks.]

We'll see if he changes his mind after a night in the barn.

[passedover]

[Hell, became someone Gabriel knew he could depend on when it came down to it. Quirks and all, Jesse was certainly something.]

With how stubborn he can be wouldn't put it past him to stay out there to try and prove a point he's decided he needs to make.

[strikecommand]

He's an adult. Let him.

[Jack knows that sounds kind of silly immediately following Gabriel calling him a 'kid', but the fact of the matter is that Jesse has been grown for a while. If he's most comfortable sleeping in the barn loft, then that can be that.

For now, anyway. Jack lets out a sigh.]

I should get some sleep.

[passedover]

I'm also the one who is supposed to look out for him.

[Even if the tone of voice speaks more of a fine than anything else. It's a worry about being in such an unknown and anything happening. McCree was one of his people, and Gabriel always, always looked out for anyone he considered to be 'his people' no matter what.

All the same, there was a little nudge directing Jack towards his bedroom.]

Yes, you should.

[strikecommand]

You’re his boss, not his dad.

[Though of course, all this is a bit frighteningly domestic, to the point where Jack says that a little forcefully. It’s nice, to have the extra hand, but as evidenced by the way he lashed out during the sleeping arrangements argument, he's clearly having some trouble adjusting to this.]

[passedover]

As his boss, when in unfamiliar territory, it's my job.

[Calmly and much more gently spoken than with.. most people, really. Hell if he wanted to argue over something like that again, and e didn't miss the way Jack said it either.]

The barn's too far away from the house. If anything happened in the middle of the night with him —or you— out there, capable as I know you both are, well.

[Shit could go wrong quickly, felt it much safer if they stuck together.

Also sleeping on the couch was bullshit, which he left out.]

[strikecommand]

Or it’s a first line of defense.

[You know, being outside, closer to the monsters, able to alert the house if there’s activity on the property. As Jack says it, he knows it’s a poor excuse and that someone like Gabriel isn’t going to buy it. His shoulders sag and he sighs.]

I’m going to bed before you come up with any more convincing arguments.

[passedover]

The space between is what worries me.

[Too many what if's about it all. Too many things that could go wrong no matter how well Jesse could take care of himself. They didn't know just what could be out there other than some vague as hell "monsters".

He let out a sigh then, stepping in closer as Gabriel nudged Jack, a slight brush of shoulder against shoulder with a chuckle just under his breath.]

Please do, Jack. Been wearing yourself thin all damn day.

[strikecommand]

Maybe you need to relax too.

[Jack knows full well by now that the two of them combined can turn into a feedback loop of paranoia very quickly. It sort of makes him wish Ana were here--she was always good at tempering the worst of their instincts, especially when they start to compound.

He reaches out and puts his hand on Gabriel's shoulder in response, not-so-blatantly ushering him towards the bed with a playful shove.]

[passedover]

[One of the worst echo chambers to exist.]

Maybe I do.

[Could relent to that, even if his own way to keep going and busy was a little more quiet than remodeling. Outside of the volunteering to help move or hold things in place.

Gabriel caught hold of Jack's wrist at that ushering little shove just to pull the man right along with him, corner of his mouth twitching.]

[strikecommand]

Yeah, you do.

[It's a small way for Jack to regain some control over the situation, by saying that Gabriel is not exempt from this either. They share a great deal of things, and some bad habits are included.

Jack expects to be pulled down onto the bed and tries to brace himself accordingly, but it's inevitable. He crashes down onto the mattress and gives a shout of protest.]

I haven't even taken off my shoes--!

[passedover]

Not going to argue.

[Because he was, in fact, tired himself. Likely not the same exact way of Jack but. Well. Well.

Corner of his mouth twitched as Gabriel just sat right down on that bed, or at least tried. Did manage it for a few seconds for the crash of Jack just had him on his back, letting go of Jack's wrist just to give his hair a god ruffling for his protest.]

Neither have I, not that hard to get them off. Not like I hauled you feet first.

[strikecommand]

[Jack wastes no time smacking Gabriel on the chest as he sits up, bending double so he can untie his shoes. He kicks them off unceremoniously, then collapses back onto the mattress, hands behind his head.]

Small mercies, right?

[passedover]

[Gabriel for his part made a slight injured sound, even if it didn't really hurt at all, just making a little tired show of it for effort. His own shoes dropping to the floor with a toss to at least no get tripped over.

No one wants to trip over shoes in the middle of the night.]

Small mercies, and if this bed doesn't feel nice after everything.

[Flopping back on to the bed himself with a light smack to Jack's midsection in some mild retaliation.]

[strikecommand]

It's all right, I guess.

[But Jack has a wry smile on his face. He shifts a little on the mattress, undoing his belt and scooting himself out of his pants, leaving him in makeshift pajamas that are just his shirt and boxers. It's nothing he and Gabriel haven't done before, simply by virtue of having to share sleeping spaces every now and again.

His chest rises and falls, as if he's trying to release some of the tension that's built up in him over the course of the day.]

Let's get some sleep.

[passedover]

You guess.

[Gabriel's hoodie went before pants did, and even then the beanie was left for last, hand smoothing back over his head before settling down himself. Some little stretch of his back before completely laying at rest.

Nothing they hadn't done before, easy enough to settle.]

Definitely need it after today.

[strikecommand]

[Jack's gaze lingers on Gabriel for just a moment too long before he gets up to turn the lights off. He surveys the room for a second in the dark, then crawls back into bed, resuming his prone position.]

We used to get up at 4am at my parents'.

[Are you ready for that, Gabriel? Are you?]

[passedover]

[If he noticed Gabriel didn't say a damn thing, just let himself get comfortable, eye closed the moment lights went out—

The eye-roll was unseen, and knowing exactly where Jack was meant he could punch his shoulder. Lightly.]

What time do you think I get up to start my day?

[Still, there was something teasing to his tone. Light and easily missed by anyone who didn't know him.]

[strikecommand]

I'm just warning you.

[In case he thought this strange visit to farm land was going to be some kind of vacation. Even if they weren't cleaning up fields, Jack would be up at 4am anyway to get a head start on the day.]

I won't be forgiving.

[No sleeping in!]

[passedover]

That right? Just what will I be in for? Finding myself dumped out of bed with you upturning the mattress on me?

[Tone dropped in to something that could have easily been mistaken for 100% serious.

Or was it.]

No breakfast?

[strikecommand]

I'll float you and your mattress out onto the lake.

[He'll do it, too. How's that for a rude awakening?]

No breakfast.

[passedover]

[Gabriel snorted.]

I don't sleep deeply enough for you to pull that one, farm boy.

[Start the prank war of mattresses ending up in weird places.]

No breakfast. [An almost audible pout?] You're killing me, farm boy.

[strikecommand]

We'll see.

[Not that Jack is actually going to float him out into the lake, but the thought is amusing. Perhaps he'll hold onto it for the next time Gabe ticks him off.]

I wouldn't send you out there without breakfast. What do you want?