Remedy (SCP-049 x Reader)

Chapter 3: "A Slap in the Face"

Everything suddenly went..

Dark.

You opened your eyes, quickly closing them from the blinding light, feeling something wet on your forehead.

Blinking, your eyes finally adjusted to the light. You've only been here once on your tour of Site-19, but it seems to be the medical unit.

There were rows of empty beds, turning your head to view the room before landing on a person sitting asleep next to your bed.

"Dr. Sherman?" You said, sitting up slowly.

Sherman quickly stirred from slumber, notable bags under his eyes as he looked shocked seeing you up.

"Y/N! You scared us half to death!" Sherman said worriedly, "We- We forgot to tell you- 049 was-"

"It's ok! I'm responsible for myself now, remember? I- thank you. For, well, being here." You laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of your head nervously.

"We- We thought 049 got to you. The guards had to hold me back while Itkin took you to medical. They explained everything after I calmed down... it was.. embarrassing afterwards, to say the least." He sighed, looking down.

You placed a hand on his shoulder, "Hey, I'd be pretty freaked-out if I thought 049 killed you too, okay? I'm sure 049 doesn't hold it against you either, trying to attack him." 

He laughed, "SCP-049 shakes those sorts of things off pretty easily, it's creepy. Though I could care less what it thinks about me. I'm more worried about our relationship as colleagues. Have you.. never seen death before?"

You shook your head, "Not like that. Nothing like that."

"-but," you added, "If I want to work with 049, this is something I need to prepare myself for. I'll take the rest of the day watching from the observation room."

Sherman looked confused, before looking at his phone, laughing.

"W-What? What's so funny?" You asked.

"You've been out for a whole day. 049's little experiment is over by now, surely," he though, "...but, you could request another D-Class? If you'd like, and are ready. Don't push yourself."

You nodded, "I- are there any that.. are there any terminal D-Class? Recently deceased?"

Sherman shook his head.

"049 doesn't work on dead creatures, throws him into a fit. 049 compared it to 'beating a dead horse' once." He chuckled.

"I wonder where he learned that phrase from," you laughed, sighing and grabbing your walkie-talkie from the side of the bed.

Holding in the button, you bravely requested a D-Class to SCP-049's containment cell, quickly getting up and putting on your lab coat.

"Are you sure you can do this? It's impressive, but you've been out for a day. Are you really ok?" Sherman asked.

You nodded, "Thank you for sitting here, it must've been boring."

Sherman quickly followed you out of the room, towards SCP-049's containment cell.

"It- well, it wasn't boring. Stressful, but not boring. Itkin was there for a little too, before being called to 049." Sherman responded.

"What? Why was Itkin requested to return?" You asked, confused.

"Apparently 049 is very worried about you, and couldn't finish his experiment that day. They discarded the body shortly after. Pretty much... stared at it for a while." Sherman shrugged.

"Has that ever happened before?" You asked, arriving at the observation door to 049's cell.

"Out of other emotions, of course. Especially when he's on his 'cure-frenzy', he'll drop his work, quickly. I haven't personally seen him do this before, nor is it noted by any researcher. Not even when.. Dr. Hamm passed." Sherman sighed.

"...well. Thank you for following me here. I'll get started, they must be waiting." You said nervously.

"Just call me on my channel if you need anything. I'll be getting something to eat from the cafeteria for now. Stay safe." Sherman said, before walking off in the direction of the cafeteria.

Heading into the observation room, you sat down, turning on the mic.

"D-Class..," You started, looking at the paperwork for the D-Class in front of you, reading the number, "D-3049, enter the containment cell."

Suddenly, the door to the containment cell open, a D-Class quickly shoved into the room.

The door closed, 3049 turning quickly and banging on the door to be released.

You squeezed your eyes closed, taking a deep breath before opening them.

If you wanted to work with 049, this is something you'd have to get used to.

Moments passed and 049 had yet to approach the D-Class.

Confused, you lean over the mic.

"Doctor? Is something the matter?" You asked.

049 was standing now, near his seat, turned to face the window between you.

"If the D-Class isn't suitable, I can request another-" You started, before 049 cut you off.

"Are you alright, doctor? I didn't mean to- I had no clue you would be visiting," He said, his hands clasped together around... your book, "I sincerely apologize for startling you. It must've been your first time seeing such a sight, I feel regrettable that it was I who allowed you to see such a sight."

He must have been reading that before you arrived...

"Don't worry, I'm completely fine! I just- I never seen something like that before. I'm-" You stopped, noticing 049 struggling to keep his attention on you.

It was almost like... he was forcing himself to ignore the D-Class to make sure you're alright. To be honest, you find it hard to focus on the doctor too, when the D-3049 keeps banging on the door and screaming. You knew it wasn't the same for him though.

You knew he was focused on the pestilence and not the D-Class' wailing.

"Doctor, it's ok. I promise. If it makes you feel better... I'll be in after D-3049 isn't.. struggling anymore." You spoke carefully, holding your breath afterwards.

Without a moment's hesitation, he set down your book on the table and quickly made his way over to D-3049.

"Not to fret... I am the cure." He said deeply, reaching out for the D-Class.

Quickly, D-3049 retaliated by slapping 049 harshly across the face, suddenly slumping to the ground... unresponsive.

That must've hurt.

For 049, that is.