And they called it Puppy Love
10k x f!reader/OC
Wordcount: 3.7k
Warnings: None
The whole camp is buzzing.
Alex and Letta went on a supply run yesterday and came back last night with a group of survivors. They were taken straight to medical for one of their members and then led to one of the empty houses for the night.
It's been months since we've had outsiders come through. So a group of six has a lot of people curious, especially considering one of the men is blue. A vitamin deficiency, according to the leader.
Yeah right
But I don't care about whatever condition he has, my interest is held elsewhere. In spiky black hair and pale skin. Full lips that curl up in the corners everytime blue eyes connect with brown.
We're sitting at opposite ends of the table as my father talks to Warren, their leader, about their injured member and their plans of going West.
“Best way to get to California is going to be taking this route here.” My dad tells her, tracing along the map in front of him.
“That's going to be difficult for us to do with our friend's leg messed up”.
“You’re welcome to stay here a few days while she rest,” he interrupts her, “We've got plenty here and you were kind enough to help our people out of a sticky spot “
I tune out the conversation again as my eyes drift back to the dark haired boy. He’s too cute to be in the apocalypse, I think to myself watching the sun reflect off the goggles atop his head. He must know I'm thinking about him because his eyes dart to mine and he smirks like he hears my thoughts.
Our staring contest is cut short by my father standing up and motioning me to follow. As we walk away he warns me not to get too close with the group. It's fine to help them but they aren't staying. I take one last look over my shoulder.
….
It's after noon before I see anyone from the group again. I'm in the lookout tower with Jim, a short bearded man who never wants to make conversation. The shift is dragging by which is a good thing really, means no zombie activity today. But God was it boring. Jim eventually announces that he's going down to do one last walk of the fence before our shift is over.
Once he leaves I reach into my pocket and pull out my cigarette case and lighter. It's not often I get a moment alone, dad always has someone around to watch me. I'd just pulled my first draw when I heard a thud behind me. Preparing an excuse I whip around expecting Jim but instead find myself staring into blue eyes.
“Hi.” Is my quiet greeting, shocked to see the star of my wandering thoughts. . Is that the best you can do, I think slightly embarrassed.
The smirk from earlier slides back onto his face and he glanced down.
“Hey.” His voice is soft, a hint of an accent comes through. He makes his way over to me taking a seat in Jim's empty chair and slides his gun off his shoulder, “Sorry to pop up on you like that.”
“No worries, long as you can keep a secret.” I say, giving him a small smile and waving the cigarette between my fingers.
He watches me bring it to my lips for another draw and licks his own, “Yeah no problem. Mind if I bum one of those secrets from you?”
I pull the case from my pocket again and pass him a cigarette. Instead of using the lighter again I lean forward and light the end using the cherry from my own.
He sits back and takes a deep inhale, blowing the smoke into the air above us. We let the silence carry on a bit while we study each other, this time with long stares instead of quick glances.
My eyes glide over his frame. He's tall and lean, an athletic build from years of surviving the apocalypse. He's not rippling in muscle but his arms are well toned. The rest of him too I bet.
My train of thought is derailed by him introducing himself.
“10 Thousand.”
“What.” Confusion clear in my voice.
He smiles again, “10 Thousand, it's my name.”
I nod, “That's an interesting name. Where'd it come from?”
“Picked it myself. It's the number of Zs I plan to kill.” He explains easily taking another drag.
“Impressive, that's quite the goal”
“Thanks. Do you have one?”
“A goal?” More confusion
“A name.” He laughs.
I feel heat creeping up my neck, “OH, right sorry, it's-”
“Y/N you up there!” A shout comes from beneath us. I flick my cigarette over the edge as I jump up and turn toward the ladder. 10 Thousand follows my lead.
“Yeah, coming down now! Post is yours!” I yell back down to Alex as he comes up for his watch. I turn back to the boy at my side and decide to take a chance.
“Since we got interrupted, you wanna have lunch with me?”
…..
The next couple of days are the best I've had in years. Every moment I can spare is spent with 10k, while trying not to alert my father of our new friendship.
“So he's overprotective?” 10k grunts, stabbing a Z through the chain link as we walk the fence together.
“Overprotective was pre-z, there's not a word strong enough for what he is now.” I laugh. The afternoon sun beaming down on us.
Mornings are spent like the first. Sneaking looks at each other over the tables, only to dart away when our eyes connect. Fighting back grins so we don't draw attention. I think the old man knows though. The two are especially close, even among the tight knit group. And 10k talks about him the most.
We're tucked away behind the greenhouse I'm supposed to be working in sharing a cigarette. Clouds cover the sun casting us in a nice shade while we talk.
“One time he got stuck in an air shaft and passed the time getting high with a Z that was stuck with him.” He tells me leaning against the glass.
I blew the smoke out in a laugh. “Did it actually work? Like did it calm the Z down?” Passing the cigarette to him, my fingers tingling when they brush against his.
“He says it did.” He replies before taking a hit. “Swears it almost put it to sleep.”
“Marijuana the plant of a thousand uses.” I snort
He keeps me company for the rest of my shift. We trade stories about our lives and share laughs. At one point he hides under a table when Miss Helen comes to check on my progress. I'm certain she heard the hushed giggles as she walked away.
The rest of the day is spent seeking each other out whenever we can. Whether I'm on guard, laundry, or greenhouse duty 10k always has a way of finding me. The moment my partner leaves my side 10k is filling their space. At some point he even manages to bribe Jim into letting him take over guard duty with me. It helps that he's such a good shot in case word gets back to my father.
We're in the tower now playing cards with a deck he borrowed from Doc. He's telling me about the scouting run tomorrow. Alex and Letta are going out again with Warren to check the town and roads. And he wants to go with them.
“I'm the best shot and this run is for our group. I should go along.” He reasons with me, throwing a card down on the pile between us.
My lips purse as I throw my own on top of it. “I know, plus you've got your count to keep up.” I flash him a small smile. He snaps his fingers and points one at me “That is true.” and throws down another card.
“But work is going to suck tomorrow without you there.” I admit shyly. A last ditch effort to persuade him. I've gotten used to his presence over the last few days and I knew that if the roads are clear enough they'll be continuing on their mission. I didn't really want to give up the time I had left with him.
"Maybe you could go on the run with us. We could check out the next town together, kill some Zs. I could teach you to shoot.” He offers with a wide grin excitement clear in his eyes.
I hate to spoil it, “As fun as that sounds, there's no way my dad's letting me out that gate.”
His shoulders deflate a bit, “Right overprotective dad. How come he doesn't let you go on runs?”
I shrug my shoulders and look down at the cards in my hand. “He used to. I mean we survived out there for a while before we found this place but then I had my little accident and it's been lockdown ever since.”
“What accident?” he asked me, propping his chin on the arm resting on his bent knee. The card game was forgotten.
“I went on a run after we got here with Alex and some others and we ran into a small horde passing through town. The group got separated and I ended up twisting my ankle so I had to hide out in a car. Alex and I are the only ones that made it back but it was two days before we did.” I explain easily. It really wasn't a big deal but my father would not agree.
He's quiet for a second, deep in thought before nodding his head, “Yeah I'd keep you locked up too.” he says finally.
My jaw drops, “EXCUS-”
“You are accident proned. Earlier your foot slipped coming up the ladder.” He interrupts me smoothly.
“Okay so-”
“Yesterday you tripped over a log while we walked the fence.”
“That was-”
“You hit your head on th-”
“SHUT UP!” I shriek throwing the cards in my hand at him as he laughs.
.…
Jim and Cory come to relieve us hours later. It's dinner time which unfortunately means I have to part ways with my new friend. We walk to the make shift cafeteria before splitting up, he goes to the table where the rest of his group sits and takes his usual seat beside Doc. As soon as he takes his seat the old man is leaning into him and whispering. From my place next to my father I have the joy of watching his face flush with heat. I wonder what they're talking about I think just as his eyes snap to mine.
It takes effort to look away, turning to my father as he asks me how my shift went. I tell him how boring it was, pushing the food around on my plate. I think about asking him about the run. But the memory of our last fight holds me back. I'd rather not have a yelling match in front of everyone. Again.
Instead I half listen as he talks about his day. The problems he fixed between camp members and his plans for the next set of crops. None of it is as interesting as the pretty boy at the next table, making faces at me over his mash potatoes.
….
It's early the next morning when they set out. I pushed a granola bar and extra water into 10k hands, making his promise to stay safe. He tells me not to worry, that he'll be back after lunch.
Now it's nearly sunset and there's no sight of them.
My shift ended hours ago but I stayed in the tower even as the guys took their post. My stomach is tied in knots and I think I've worn the planks down with my pacing. Huffing everytime I look to the horizon and find it empty. I don't even care that Jim is standing there when I pull my cigarette case out and light one. I see him shake his head and I brace myself for a lecture. But he surprises me.
“Stop worrying yourself over that boy. He's gonna come back.” The tone is so matter of fact like he's saying the grass is green.
It makes me choke a bit blowing out the smoke. “What. I'm not-”
He stops me with a loud snort, “I had a wife and three daughters once. I've seen it before. I know what it looks like.”
I pause. I want to ask what ‘It’ is, but I'm too scared now to know. Instead it's a whispered “...How do you know he'll be back?”
Jim looks up at me again from his seat. He takes a deep breath and sighs, “Cause he's got something to come back to.” And goes back to sharpening his knife.
It's silent after that. Jim lets me finish my cigarette before he pats the chair next to him and passes me a knife and stone of my own when I sit down. We sit there together, I ask him about his family to distract myself and he seems all too willing to tell me about them. It's the most I've ever heard him talk in all the time we've been on duty together. And I think maybe he needed it as much as I did.
The sun was just starting to sink down when Cory's shout gets our attention.
“Car!”
I leap from my seat and toss the knife and stone on the little table. In the distance I see a truck coming down the road with a figure standing in the back. I don't have to get a good look before I know instantly who it is. I turn and rush down the ladder, almost slipping again. There's already a crowd at the gate when I make it and the truck rolls in.
The group piles out of the truck quickly, and 10k jumps out of the bed. They all look exhausted and they're covered in blood and dirt. Our eyes connect over the crowd of people I'm pushing through. His look so tired that I just want to wrap him in my arms and let him rest. To keep the whole world away from him. But before I can make it to him my father's voice sounds over the crowd.
“What happened? You were supposed to be back hours ago?” He asks, his eyes darting around the group.
Warren is the one that steps up to answer him, “We ran into another group and they weren't friendly.“
My father curses and runs a hand over his face. He jerks his head for them to follow. Likely to discuss this in a more private area so the camp doesn't panic. The crowd disperses as the group follows him to the house.
I hang back, waiting till my father gets a ways ahead before I grab 10k’s hand and pull him with me towards the greenhouse. As soon as we're behind the building he falls into me. Wrapping his arms around my waist and my own go around his shoulders holding him to me.
“Told you I'd be back.” He whispers into my hair and squeezes me tighter.
I shake my head where it's buried in his chest, “You're never leaving my sight again.”
We move to the grass, sitting against the glass. His arm stays around my shoulder as I lean against him. I have his other hand pulled into my lap, playing with his fingers while he tells me what happened.
“Most of the trip went fine, we got some supplies, killed a few Zs. But on the way back through we ran into a group of guys and it got ugly.” He paused, sliding his fingers in between mine. “Big fight broke out, we got some of the guys but the rest ran and the noise attracted a herd. We took out as many as we could and led the rest away before circling back.”
I nod along to his story. There weren't supposed to be any other camps in the area so hopefully the people were just passing through. Either way I'm glad 10k wasn't hurt. I snuggle deeper into his side, laying my head on his shoulder. “What number did you get to?”
“Three thousand seven hundred and sixty-seven.” he boasted, pride clear in his voice.
I hum and tilt my face up to look at him, “That's a big jump, you should give yourself prizes after every thousand till you get to the grand name change.”
“Prizes huh. Like what?”
“Anything you want. Like a-” my sentence is cut short by his lips crashing into mine.
My brain freezes, stopping all thoughts except the one screaming to kiss him back. I pull my hand free and bring them to cup his face as our lips move together. His other hand slides around my waist and tugs me closer until I'm practically in his lap.
But there's no rush to it. It's slow and sweet. Both of us just enjoying the feeling of the other. His arm around my shoulder moves so his hand is cupping the back of my head. His tongue brushes against my bottom lip shyly. I tilt my head a bit and part my lips. We're so lost in each other we don't hear the footsteps approach.
At the sound of a throat clearing above us we spring apart. And there stands Warren and my father, holding flashlights, the latter looking furious.
“Get up.” Is his cold command as he stares right at us. We rise slowly and once we're on our feet my father grabs me by the arm and starts pulling me along. 10k is right behind us trying to stop him. But my father's anger makes him unreasonable.
“Enough! I let you in for safe haven and you repay it by pawing at my daughter!” My father spins on him.
10k shakes his head rapidly, “No! It's not like that, I care about-”
My father won't let him finish, “You stay away from her. You and your group are gone come first light!” he begins marching me to the house again.
10k tries to follow again but Warren stops him. She says something to him and his shoulders slump. And he can't do anything but stare after me and run a hand through his hair.
.…
We walk into the house and the door slams behind us. I jerk out of my father's grip, “You can't just send them away like that! There's another group out there and a herd!”
“That isn't my problem! I helped them all I could, they're on their own. My job now is to deal with you.”
“Deal with me for what?!”
“For being childish and sneaking around with that boy!”
“He has a name!”
“I don't give a shit what his name is! You know better than to get caught up with some drifter! You have a responsibility t-”
“Oh bullshit! What responsibility?! You don't even let me leave the damn compound!”
He first slams into the table, “Because I am your father and it's MY responsibility to keep you safe since you want to act like a fucking idiot!”
The silence is deafening. I turn in my heel and march to my room, slamming the door behind me.
.…
Sometimes later I'm still pacing around my room. I'd heard the tale tell sound of glasses clinking in the kitchen before my father's door shuts. Off to drink himself to sleep.
I'd just turned to make another lap when I heard a faint tap on my window. Snapping my head around I rush over and pull back the curtain. There standing in the darkness is 10k, wide blue eyes looking so pitiful. I unlock the window and raise it slowly so it doesn't squeak.
“Hello Romeo.” I greet him with a grin as he uses the window seal to climb into my room.
As soon as he stands to his full height he pulls me into his chest. “I'm sorry, I should have been paying attention.” He says glumly
“It's fine.” I reassure him, “he would have caught on eventually. According to Jim we aren't very subtle.” I tease.
It wins me a small smile but it falls quickly. He stares into space above my head and I know he's thinking about tomorrow. So I decided to distract him. Running my hands up his chest I bring them to cup his face once more and pull him down to me.
He let out a sigh when our lips touch and all the tension drains from his body. This time the kiss doesn't stay soft.
His hands travel down to my hips and squeeze. Pushing his tongue into my mouth when I gasp. My hands are in his hair now, tugging at the dark locks. And he moans.
The noise sets me on fire and suddenly we're falling into my bed. He's braced above me on his elbows as our lips move in tandem. Kissing each other breathless as the heat spreads. From my chest to my stomach and lower. Warms blooms as his lips make their way to my neck. Nipping and sucking along my skin until he finds the spot that makes me buck into him and sinks his teeth in.
My breath lodges in my throat, and I tug on his hair again. He moves back to my lips as his hand slips under my shirt. Moving slowly up my ribcage until his large palm covers my breast. It's only then that he pulls back, just a hair width.
“Do you want me to stop?” He whispers, his breath fanning across my face.
I stare into his eyes as my hands move down to his belt, “Never.”
…..
We lay there together basking in the afterglow. My head rests on his bare chest as he runs a hand along my back. His other hand twirls a piece of my hair. I release a long sigh of contentment and place a kiss over his heart. He places one on the crown of my head.
It's not long now til daylight. And the outside world comes to drag us apart.
I'm lost in thoughts on how I could get my father to reconsider sending them away. But that's only a temporary fix if he'd even agree. They still have a mission to complete after all. I'm so deep in my head I almost don't hear 10k’s voice.
“Come with me.”
