Perform For You - Z Nation/10k Fanfiction

Moving Forward

It had been some time since the mercy of Cassandra, the hatred between 10k and Murphy having only grown since then but something else was in bloom as well among the group. The young sniper had found himself now inseparable from the petite girl he saved, their bond unbreakable at this point as the others swore there was something more there deep down inside the two. 10k had started taking up bringing small trinkets back from supply runs to gift to Sadie, whether it was just foods he knew she would like or little charms to hook to her newly acquired thigh bag. Doc noticed the teen's need to give her things, smirking to himself as he could see how he looked at her - how she looked at him. Feelings were there but both had yet to realize. For now, they considered it a close friendship and only called it as such since the two were a bit clueless to love and romance.

It was only when the group found themselves at the hands of the Zeros, made over and freshened up from the grime of the apocalypse, that 10k felt more nervous around her. She was in makeup but nothing heavy, it played to her skin tone of soft porcelain while her hair was curled softly to look as if it were natural. His throat felt dry, swallowing continuously just to keep it quenched in her presence or else his tone would come out hoarse. He didn't understand. Why was he so nervous all of a sudden? He had known her for nearly a month now, a considerable time in the apocalypse and he had no problem speaking to her usually. Why was he so tongue-tied now? He eventually split off from Sadie, only because he was accompanying Doc for food. The old doctor looked at him, "You alright, kid? You look like you're lost." He observed as 10k took in a breath, "I don't know, Doc.." He admitted. Truly, he didn't know if he was alright. Talking to Doc, he felt fine but whenever he stole a glance of Sadie from across the room, his mind fogged again and it was like he only saw her. Like everyone else drifted away and blended into the background.

Doc nudged him with an elbow, "I think you got a severe case of lovesickness, kid. Maybe an incurable one." 10k shot him a look, an uncertain one but.. maybe he was right? There wasn't much else to explain his odd flood of emotions and senses other than...

Love.

The realization hit him all at once like someone knocked the air from his lungs then put it all back in just a matter of a second, "I'm in love.." He murmured then smirked, "Doc, I'm in love." He chuckled, giddy as joy rang true through the spark in his blue eyes. The man let out a laugh, "Now you gotta tell her." With those words, the unimaginable joy crashed like a plane to the Earth, "No.. I can't. What if she doesn't feel the same?" He questioned, his brows turning up in worry as Doc calmed him before he could get any further down the spiral, "Tell her when you feel ready." He reassured, watching as the teen's eyes flickered to the girl talking to Addy. The same girl he had learned so much about in the last some odd months, seeing her fight and defend the group, team up with him in taking down Zs. She was a warrior in her own right. How could someone like her love him? Surely he had something to offer, right? At this point, his head was spinning, overthinking everything until it threw his mind into a roundabout circle. He needed to tell her, no waiting as long like.. last time.

When everything went down with the Zeros, the two sharpshooters found themselves teamed up again as they made their way to meet up with the rest of the group as 10k spoke up, "Sadie... I need to tell you something.." Her eyes flickered over to him, the two currently running through a hall, "Can it wait, bright eyes?" She pleaded, the tall sniper frowning but knowing they were trouble right now. Running from Zs wasn't exactly the time to confess something, he decided.

Once everyone was safe, away from the underground chaos, Sadie sighed a breath of relief then smiled, "I knew something was fishy about those damn people." Doc nodded, dusting off his jacket before sighing, "Now we need rides out of here." OBM walked around before Doc and 10k both spotted a stock of vintage cars, 10k's lips quirking to the side, "El Camino." He chimed, trading looks with Doc before the old man put his glasses on with an approving nod. The group dispersed, getting into individual cars as Sadie rode with 10k, the teen starting the old muscle car as the engine roared to life. Both young snipers smirked before settling in.

As the group drove, 10k glanced over at her as the wind rushed through the open window and through her hair. A sight he wanted to snapshot and save forever as he grinned, "Hey." He spoke up, pulling her attention to him as he decided last minute to save his confession - just for now, "Tommy.." He murmured with a smile, "My real name is Tommy." He told her as Sadie's expression lit up slightly, knowing he didn't tell his name to just anybody, "It suits you, bright eyes." She complimented as his face went slightly flush with red, "Thanks." He responded. The moment was nice, the air feeling different between them but in a good way. Deep down, he felt maybe he had a chance. She then piped up again, "So.."

"Where to now, Tommy?"