Work Text:
Seven days have passed since Chuuya entered the facility. At the moment, he was curled up on the mattress in his assigned room that contained only the bare necessities. The occasional monotonous beeping of his ankle monitor filled in the silence.
There was nothing to distract him from his growing anxiety; the room was void of any toys. There were no books accessible to read or children to talk to. Each day was spent sitting alone in the white room with the fluorescent lights on until someone arrived to collect him. The five-year-old began to wonder if he would one day prefer being kept company by the scientists.
However, that was not the company he needed at the moment. Chuuya bit at his lip as his breathing became unsteady for the third time that day. He desperately wanted a kiss from his mommy, and a firm but loving hug from his daddy. He worried about the senior dog they recently adopted for his birthday. The child hoped the dog didn’t feel abandoned. How cruel would it be for someone to take an animal in just to abandon it later?
With a defeated whine, Chuuya couldn’t stop the tears from spilling over. He was getting tired of crying so much, and so were the scientists. Chuuya wanted to be the big boy he was always told he had to be. He also wanted to go back home.
The thought caused another sob to wrack through his body. His small frame trembled as he rubbed his eyes with the long sleeve of the required white shirt. Maybe he could convince Dr. N to sneak in a softer one with more color. This one was too itchy and rough for him to exist comfortably. Even better, he could get his space projector from home that would shine light throughout his dark bedroom with its twinkling stars.
The sound of footsteps approaching in the corridor that held his room set him on edge. The child rushed to sit up on the mattress and wiped away any remaining tear streaks on his cheeks.
The door’s keypad is pressed and the door slides open. In walks a familiar face with a bag, Dr. N. Chuuya felt a bit more at ease knowing it wasn’t one of the others. The child swallowed nervously as he courageously, or foolishly complained to the man.
“When can I go home? I don’t like it here.”
Dr. N’s deep voice echoed through the room as he spoke sternly with a painfully disappointed frown. This did not bode well for the young boy.
“That much is obvious to anyone who had to interact with you. There have been multiple complaints made about how difficult you are being. I believe we already had this discussion, have we not?”
Knowing he had disappointed Dr. N had hurt almost as much as the needles. Chuuya’s voice is still shaky as he sits up straighter.
“I’m sorry, Dr. N. I try really hard to sit still, but the needles are too big,” the child’s voice cracked as he began to hug himself for comfort. Why was he always disappointing these adults? He struggled to take another breath as he continued, “It hurts when they use them and I’m always sore afterward.”
“What is your excuse for your tears now? We haven’t given you any shots or drawn blood.”
Chuuya’s words catch in his throat as he attempts to explain how much he misses his parents and his furry companion. He considered begging Dr. N to allow him a quick call or even if he could draw a picture for them. However, the impatient look in the doctor’s eye was enough to warn the child.
Chuuya had always struggled to read Dr. N’s thoughts. Even before he was brought to the facility, he never knew what exactly was wanted from him. With a sinking feeling in the child’s stomach, he realized he needed to learn fast. He decided to take the safest option.
“I’ll do better. I promise.”
Dr. N sighed as he walked toward the young child. The smile Dr. N wore didn’t reach his eyes but it was enough of a friendly face for Chuuya to feel safe. The doctor crouched down and went into the bag hoisted on his shoulder.
“This is a privilege. This is not yours to keep. Act out or step out of line, you’ll be without it for as long as I say. Do you understand?”
Chuuya eagerly nodded as he set his hands out to receive the contents. He gave his favorite doctor a wobbly smile when he saw the husky-shaped stuffed animal. It looked just like his dog. With a strangled whine, he hugged the stuffed animal against his chest. Chuuya had to force himself not to tear up again. This was the first hug he’d received since he arrived.
“Dr. Smith has scheduled you for the next three hours. He’ll come collect you in ten minutes. Do what he says when he says it. I will not hesitate to force you to throw it into the incinerator. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Dr. N.” Chuuya obediently complied as he hugged the stuffed dog tighter; a silent plea for his one and only comfort to not be taken away so soon. The second the doctor exited the door, Chuuya buried his face against his new friend’s fur. No one was present to scold him for crying as his sounds were muffled into the stuffed animal.
Chuuya wondered if he would make it on time to pet his dog at home after these scientists were done with him. His precious senior animal already had complications from age. Chuuya shook his head as he tried to shut those thoughts out. He shouldn’t have to be here for long, right?
The door locked, effectively trapping Chuuya inside until he is needed once more. Dr. N could barely hear the usual loud wailing coming from the other side of the door. The man shook his head as he chuckled leaving the corridor.
“I suppose that toy does have a use for us after all.”