SSM - Proximity
A/N: Yes, this is dragged from my beloved archiveofourown account :) I edited it though and made it more smooth since I had the patience and time.
No one was sure when it had happened; not even 10k and Murphy. The two had become closer and closer over time, literally.
Brushing arms or legs, maybe even fingertips, Murphy turning the slightest to whisper some cheap knock-off joke and nearly brushing cheeks, or 10k ringing up his rifle and bracing his shoulder against Murphy's.
So when the two had been walking side by side in such close, brushing proximity, that pair of eyes staring them down had finally caught 10k's attention.
He pretended not to notice, but noted the slight brush and burn of Murphy's bicep against his and the close proximity of their thighs.
He pulled away, enough for it to seem natural and unintentional, like stepping over a rock or through a flattened spot in the concrete.
Speaking of the concrete they walked on, he could see hazy waves rising to meet him.
It made him dizzy.
Nauseous.
Hot.
He felt his knees buckle a moment later and grunted, clenching his teeth and falling to his hands and knees.
The rough pavement and gravel met his palms and already skinned knees.
Murphy turned towards him fast, Doc and Warren turning around to help as well.
The heat was getting to a lot of them.
Cassandra huffed and took a seat on the sidewalk.
She leaned back on her hands and groaned distastefully at the sun's forever shining rays, "This is worst than Black Summer..."
Murphy couldn't feel what they were feeling, the lack of water made him nearly question how human he really was.
He knelt next to 10k, noting the suspicious and confused stares of the other two.
"You okay?" he mumbled out, gripping the boy's right elbow with his left hand and guiding the male closer.
The younger male obeyed his subtle demands, leaning against him, wrapping an arm over his shoulder, "I'll be fine."
Doc helped him raise up from the ground, Warren searched for any water left locally.
10k leaned against Murphy, trying not to drag the group down or slow their journey.
However, when he looked, he noted both Cassandra and Doc resigned to sitting on the pavement and sidewalk.
He patted Murphy's bicep appreciatively, the man simply nodded.
"Just hold on, 10k."
Murphy pulled the younger male into one of the broken-down cars' seats, setting him down carefully and bringing the last of his water to 10k’s lips.
He tilted it slightly, "drink."
10k shook his head, then leaned it back sleepily against the headrest, "That's yours."
Murphy grumbled something about stubborn and took a sip. He relished in the faint cool for a moment, "There, I've had some. Drink."
He then gripped 10k's cheeks, pursing the young adult’s lips and putting the nozzle against the chapped but soft surface.
The male struggled a bit, hand raising to grip Murphy's wrist with exhaustion, before relenting and accepting his ration of water.
He kept his hand gripping the older male's wrist though, relishing in the cool water and feeling a little energy spark in him.
He gulped down as much as he could before he sputtered.
Murphy pulled it back a bit before 10k's other hand jolted up at the container and Murphy's hand, gripping both to keep them in place.
"I-I'm okay... Drank too fast."
He took in a few stuttered, stabilizing breaths.
The hot air collided with the cold puffs of air from his mouth, forming a slight fog by his lips.
Murphy eyed his throat and mouth with keen interest.
"I'm good..."
Murphy let him grab hold of the container and take as much as he wanted, moving to pull away.
He truly needed a distraction right about now.
10k poured a bit of water on himself with his next few mouthfuls, the water dribbling down his chin and across his adam's apple.
"Slow down, Tiger."
10k huffed but nodded, lessened his grip on Murphy's wrist, swallowing water slower than before, fingers wrapped around Murphy's wrist still.
The ex-convict stared quietly at those slender, pale fingers with a soft smile, letting their hands rest on 10k’s thigh.
The younger male didn't seem to mind, gasping when he pulled away from the container, head leaned back against the headrest.
"You good now?"
"Yeah... You should share with the others, they might need some,” the sniper screwed the container shut and pushed it towards the ex-convict.
Murphy huffed but nodded, "Fine.”
He stood to pull away and 10k slowly released the grip he had on the male.
Murphy nodded, took the container, and moved away, face heated not from the air surrounding him, but the male he'd been in such proximity with.
The man he wanted to be in proximity with.