#yixing x non binary reader

[cloudycrystalkpop]

L.U.C.K.Y. | Decade

pairing: Lay x doctor! reader

summary: L.U.C.K.Y au | after years of research you put into your work, and the amazing feats Subject 10 was capable of, your superiors didn’t value, not only your work, but the life of your Subject.

warnings: gender neutral reader, character death

words: 1.4k

notes: so, i hate to say this but i feel the need to. Lay has made some recent political statements i personally don’t agree with. however, regardless of them, i still wanted him to be a part of this story, as i feel the world of this au is at a great loss without him.

~

your fingers were beginning to cramp from the amount of typing you had done. they had given you two days notice. after all of the nights you’d spent, off the clock, desprity trying to show how foolish they were being. how much potential he had.

but it had all been pointless. they still wanted to pull the plug.

he had the potential to cure cancer, but they saw him as useless. just because he was “weak”. they were foolish.

the kindness of his voice and the gentleness of his nature was not a weakness, it was humanity. something they never saw their subjects as.

you let out a shaky breath, trying to blink away the intruding thoughts. no, these subjects were just that. it didn’t matter that they were men, they were to be the future. tools to end wars.

but you began to question your superiors. they didn’t want a healer on their battle field.

~

12 hours. that’s how much time you had before Subject 10 was terminated. you turned in your notes to the records department, blatantly ignoring the coworkers who tried to make small talk with you.

you briefly glanced at Subject 99’s discharge report from the medial wing. 99 would be fine, you have bigger problems to worry about.

in your brisk walk to Subject 10’s cell, you didn’t even register Doctor C.’s calling for you until she grabbed your wrist.

“hey!” you immediately wheeled around to face the woman. she looked a little disgruntled, and seemed to collapse in on herself at your glare.

“can i help you?” you voice was steady in its intimidation.

“uhm, i had hoped i could speak with you about what happened to Subject 99 yesterday.” the young woman straightened up, speaking more confidently to spite your glare.

“ah yes,” you looked down, pretending to flip through your papers for 99’s report. “you must be referring to where Subject 61,” you glanced up at the woman. “your responsibility, attacked 99.”

Doctor C. swallowed at your continued intimidation. you knew the young woman hated being talked down too, but for her treatment of your Subject, you couldn’t help but feel a bit petty.

“yes, that.” she took in a deep breath, but before she could speak you interrupted her.

“well i think we shouldn’t be surprised by Subject 61’s outbursts. he’s always been quite a bit to handle. but i do plan to bring up with Doctor B. about Subject 04’s involvement.” your voice was sharp.

“y-yes. i intent to ask him for his notes when he arrives.” C. nodded.

“lovely. i do hope you will pass them on to me after.” you pulled the sides of your mouth up into a tight lipped smile, not even bothering to match it with your eyes. “good day Doctor.” and with that, you briskly began your walk to Subject 10’s cell.

~

you scanned your name tag at the door before entering into Subject 10’s cell. the young man was already awake, gently flipping through the pages of a book.

you recalled him speaking about finally being able to read it. many of the Subjects were mostly illiterate, and while 10 still lacked the ability to write, he could now read and understand most of the story book. a child’s copy of Peter Pan.

the handsome young man smiled when he saw you. wishing you a good morning.

“you’re here earlier the usual.” he commented, calming walking up to you, extending his arm for you to take his vitals, same as every morning.

it’s true, you usually attended to Subject 99 first, as he was your main responsibility. you swallowed, you could not tell 10 of what your superiors planned to do to him.

“99 was just released from the medial wing. they took his stats before he left.” you stated. 10 frowned at your words.

“is he alright? shouldn’t you have gone to check on him?” 10’s concern for others was... something the people in this place didn’t deserve.

sometimes, even just calmly speaking with the man, you couldn’t help the guilt you felt that such a gentle soul had found themselves in a place like this.

“i am confident 99 is fine.” you reassured him, taking you stethoscope and pressing it to his chest. he breathed in and out deeply, just as he’d been taught to do.

you felt... some deep twinge of fear. the sound of his heart beating in your ears... was this your last chance to hear it...?

“Doctor... what’s wrong?” 10’s voice was soft and gentle, as always. his hands careful as they lowered yours from his chest.

you turned away from him quickly, placing the stethoscope back around your neck and jotting down your notes.

“i am perfectly fine. it is simply... another day.” you replied. 10’s lips curled into a soft smile.

“i see.” he walked back and took a seat on the small cot he had for a bed. “do you have a blood test for today?” he asked.

“no.” you bit your lip and cursed yourself for the wavering in your voice. 10 tilted his head like a curious cat.

“but it’s tuesday. you always take a blood sample on tuesdays.” he commented.

“...my superiors have...” your voice trailed off, words failing you.

“...it’s okay Doctor.” 10’s words were as sweet as usual. “i know.”

“pardon?” you inquired, finally turning to look at him. what you saw, was the kind, gentle smile on his lips, and tears glistening in his eyes.

“i know i’ll be terminated this evening.” his voice was quieter than usual.

“i- i beg your pardon.” you scrambled to collect yourself, but he simply smiled.

“i’ve known for a long time. don’t worry, no one snitched. i doubt any of the other doctors even know, but...” his gaze dropped to the floor. “an...old friend of mine let me know.”

you were silent. the Subjects had no friends other than each other. and even that kind of interaction was limited and heavily monitored.

“they called him 13. he was terminated a very long time ago.” 10’s voice was quiet, his eyes still glazed over.

you thought back. Subject 13 was terminated only a few days after you had joined the company. out of the other full time Doctors, you had been there the second longest. the senior doctor, was Doctor Z. their sole responsibility was Subject 88. but... you recalled reading something in the records... about a Subject 13.

“13 spoke to each of us before they killed him. i don’t know what he said to the others... but people say his doctor wasn’t ever the same after.” 10 finally looked up, small tears rolling down his cheeks. but... he still offered you a smile.

“he told you... when you were going to die?” you asked. 10 nodded, sniffling slightly and wiping his eyes on his sleeve.

“yes. he was the third Subject to be terminated. and, i’ll be the fourth.” his tone was grave, but he still took a shaky breath. standing, he turned to face you. “will you... will you please watch out for the others?”

your heart broke looking at him. even now, as he talked about dying, rather then trying to think of a way to escape, he was worried for the other Subjects.

“yes. i will find out why, why they do this.” you planted your feet firmly, clenching your fists. 10 smiled softly, gently wandering up to you.

“and Doctor... please don’t let this make you cold. i’ll be okay. go take care of 99. don’t worry about me. just... please, be happy.” you stared at the man, unsure of how to respond to his final plea.

“i...” your voice failed you, as you felt the tears well up in your eyes. 10 wasn’t just wasted potential, he wasn’t just a cure for cancer your superiors were taking away, he was a kind, gentle, selfless person. a human being.

this wasn’t just killing a lab rat. this was murder.

“you have my word. this will never happen again.” the power in your voice surprised even you.

10 smiled at your reply. “before you go, can you help me with something?”

“of course.” you immediately followed the young man, as he pulled out the story book.

“can you tell me what this word says?” his question was full of childlike curiosity.

“...neverland. it’s the name of the place.” you replied. 10 quirked a brow.

“but... how can it be called ‘never land’ if they have to land to walk on the ground?” he wondered. you couldn’t help the small chuckle.

“i don’t know. that’s a good question.”