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Jack had bandaged up his leg the best he could, but even if the bleeding was stemmed, there was nothing they could do about the pain or exhaustion overwhelming Daniel’s body. The four of them were working their way through the jungle back to the camp where he and Bill had been held, and despite Jack’s strong arm wrapped around his waist, Daniel was struggling. Jack’s buddy was leading the way with Bill a few steps behind him to point out where to go and they were a few paces back from him, limping along slowly. After what felt like the fifteenth time Daniel tripped, he gave up. Jack’s arm caught him, but he didn’t attempt stand back up. Letting his body go limp, Daniel sank to the jungle floor.
“C’mon Daniel, we’re almost there.” Jack coaxed, trying to help him stand.
Daniel shook his head.
“I can’t, Jack, I can’t.” He was lightheaded and exhausted and the thought of putting any more weight on his bad leg made him want to scream.
“Hold up!” Jack called to the other two before turning his attention back.
“Well, you gotta get up. We can’t just leave you here in the middle of the jungle with a bullet in your leg. Its not that much farther.”
“I can’t.”
He stared Jack straight in the eyes, and after a moment’s hesitation, Jack looked towards where their audience was waiting and then looked back at Daniel.
“Fine, but you can’t get mad at me for this.”
“Wha- oh.”
In one swift move, Jack wrapped one arm under Daniel’s legs and the other behind his back and picked him up in a bridal carry.
Daniel wrapped his arms around Jack’s neck out of fear more than anything, and he could feel his face heat up with a blush. Mercifully, nobody said anything and they continued their trek in silence, save for Bill’s directions. Against his will, Daniel could feel himself drifting off with his head pressed to Jack’s chest. Jack was just so… solid and safe and as Daniel came down from his adrenaline high, the consequences of their adventures were rapidly catching up to him. Besides, you can’t blame a guy for enjoying being carried by his boyfriend, now can you?
Daniel’s last train of thought before he drifted off was a slightly hysterical musing about how strong Jack must be to be able to not only lift him, but carry his limp body on a hike through the jungles of Honduras.
--
“Daniel.”
Daniel felt more than heard Jack saying his name as he blinked awake.
“Daniel.” Jack repeated, slightly louder.
Jack was still carrying him, and it took him a moment to process what the hell was happening before the pervasive aching of his body reminded him precisely where they were and why.
“What?” He mumbled, blinking against the bright light of the sun but refusing to lift his head from Jack’s chest.
“We’re almost there.”
Daniel saw the camp just a few yards away.
“There’s a seat by the helicopter. Put me down there.” He replied, trying valiantly to shake the sleep and exhaustion from his brain.
Once it was confirmed that the perimeter was clear, Jack did exactly what Daniel said and set him gently down on the seat. He stood and stretched with a groan.
“I am too old to be doing this shit.” He grumbled, and Daniel shook his head with an amused smile.
“Nobody made you carry me. You just made the decision.”
“What can I say? I’m a gentleman.” Jack said with a grin.
Daniel rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the way his heart warmed. For all the sarcasm and snide comments and rough edges, Jack really was a massive softie at heart and regularly put his own needs to the side for others – especially Daniel. They had been together for years already, and Daniel still felt as hopelessly in love as he had been on the day they first got together. They had been through hell and back more times than either would care to admit, and yet Jack was still there at his side, saving the day and providing a steady shoulder to lean on... both literally and metaphorically.
He was knocked out of his own head by Jack patting his knee.
“Lift your leg up. I need to check the bandages.”
Daniel complied, though unable to prevent a grimace as the action pulled at his wound. Jack removed the soiled dressing and replaced it with a new one, hands as tender and gentle as they could be. As his leg was tended to, Daniel could feel himself start to shake. By the time Jack lowered his foot to the ground, Daniel was fully shivering.
“It’s a hundred out here and you’re shivering? There’s something wrong with you.” Jack quipped, even as he removed his jacket and wrapped it around Daniel’s shoulders.
He immediately pulled it tighter around himself and luxuriated in the feel. The jacket reeked of sweat and dirt, but it warm and familiar and still held a faint scent of Jack under everything else.
“Thank you.” Daniel said quietly.
“Just don’t bleed on it, please. That’s my favorite jacket.”
“I’m serious, thank you. For everything.”
Jack’s face softened.
“Don’t mention it.”
Without saying anything else, Jack ensured that Daniel was comfortable and situated, and had both a canteen and protein bar in hand. Shooting another glance at their companions and seeing that they were both facing away, Jack leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Daniel’s sweaty forehead.
“Rest. We’ll get ya home in no time.”