I'm Just a Kid, and Life is a Nightmare

by CherryFlavoredSpades

A collection of one-shots where Operation Bite Mark realizes how young 10K is. Some of it is happy fluff. Some of it is sad. Features talking about birthdays, "The Talk", and high school. 10K has a nightmare, abandonment issues, outgrows his clothes, & drinks alcohol for the first time. Doc & 10K father-son relationship. Crossposted on Ao3

5. Reading

They were in a familiar setting. Warren, Vasquez, Doc, 10K, and Murphy were sitting around the small campfire that Vasquez had allowed them to have. Addy was still in their truck bed and was digging around in her backpack. She grinned as she finally found what she was looking for.

She walked back to the group. 10K and Doc were across from Warren and Vasquez. Murphy was at the right of Doc. Addy plopped herself to the left of 10K. "Hey kid," she called, "I got something for you."

She passed it to him in one hand. He took it excitedly, "Sweet! A book!"

Addy grinned, "Yup. Found it on our last run. Looks like it has all its pages too."

He looked back at her, "Thanks."

"No problem."

Since it was night, 10K couldn't read it. He would hold it until later.

The next morning, they were on the road again. Warren and Vasquez were in the cab. The others were in the truck bed. !0k was leaning against the glass in hopes to avoid the wind. He was leaning the book against his legs. His left hand was holding it. His right hand was helping him keep his place. Murphy, with the wind in his hair, looked at 10K as he heard mumbling. He noticed the boy was trying to sound it out.

The blue man laughed "Ha! What, books too hard for you?"

10K mumbled, "No."

Murphy teased, "Then are you reading it out loud like a little toddler?"

10K answered unwaveringly, "My dad wasn't that big on reading. He didn't see the point if we were just living in the woods. It's not like I was going to be some genius or anything."

Murphy continued, "He got that right. And why bother with that book anyway? Because Addy gave it to you? Please! Everyone's read 'The Great Gatsby'."

10K shook his head, "Well, I haven't."

The older man retorted, "Bullshit. Everyone read that in high school."

10K shrugged, "Yeah, well, I didn't get to go to high school."

Murphy's next insult died on his lip, "What? Why not?"

10K explained, "I was homeschooled until I was in middle school. Then the apocalypse happened."

"Oh."

A moment of silence passed. Murphy tried again, "So no high school at all, huh? No prom? No bullies pushing you in lockers and giving you swirlies? Nothing?"

10K nodded, "Nothing."

Murphy kept silent for the rest of the awkward car ride and let 10K read his book. He wouldn't admit it, but he was starting to feel bad for the kid. Not that he would admit it.