Psych Ward

Chapter 4

Tae took a few deep breaths and then pushed the door open. Ris was sitting down next to Jungkook, and she was feeding him a bite of her oatmeal. He was scrunching up his nose but not complaining—he hated oatmeal. Tae could hear her giggling and telling him that he was such a good Bunny for eating his breakfast.

He rolled his eyes but still ate every bite she fed him. They are all a little more than in love with her. They love her personas but haven't ever crossed the line because of what she's been through. So they show their love in other ways. Jimin brings her presents. They all carry her whenever she's Ris and wants to be held. Yoongi and Jungkook let her call them Kitty and Bunny.

Tae always makes sure to have new toys for her and his tablet ready for her to watch something if she wants. More than once, he's found her in his office curled up with his tablet watching Netflix. They pretty much let her have a free run of the place. 

She looked up when Tae approached, and her smile was so big. "Hi Tae Tae, look, Bunny is being good and eating his oatmeal!"

"I can see that, but don't forget that bunnies love banana milk too."

Her mouth formed a circle, and then she smacked her forehead and giggled, "I forgot, sorry, Bunny." Then she hopped up and took off towards the kitchen to raid the fridge.

"Thank God, I hate oatmeal. Hurry up, eat this for me before she gets back."

He shoved the bowl towards Tae and he ate the last few bites, he wasn't hungry but he didn't hate oatmeal like the younger. Just more proof that he loves her, there's no way any of the others could get him to eat it. But all she has to do is hold up a spoon. She ran back out, waving the milk above her head, "Here, Bunny," she looked at the bowl with wide eyes. "You finished already?" She started petting his hair, "You are the best Bunny ever."

It took everything in Tae not to crack up at how embarrassed Jungkook was right then. "Princess, I have to go do my rounds. Tae is going to stay with you, okay?"

As soon as she nodded her head, he grabbed the milk and took off before she could convince him to do something else he didn't want to do. Her favorite activity was tea parties. "Did you eat anything, or did you spend the entire time feeding your Bunny?"

"He made me eat before he would eat," she pouted, and Tae couldn't help but reach forward and pinch her cheek.

"I got a new baby doll that I think you'll like. Do you want to go to my office and check it out?" She didn't even answer him; she grabbed his hand and dragged him to his office. She typed in the code to get in, and Tae couldn't help but laugh. None of them had ever told her any of the codes they used, but she always knew what they were—even when they changed them.

She could easily leave the building if she wanted to; Tae knows that she knows the code to get out. She even knows the code to the door that leads to their private elevator. They all live upstairs in the apartment on the hospital's top floor. It was Jin's stipulation to take over. They'd have to renovate the space, and they'd all live there. Jin refused to be away from his two little brothers; the other four became honorary family.

She bounced around Tae's office, touching everything, and he made his way to his desk. They opened the bottom drawer and pulled the new doll out. "Ris, here she is. What are you going to name her?"

She bounced over to him and gently held the doll, "I think I'll call her Natalie, Tali for short."

Aww, she was naming her after her sister. This is the perfect opener. "Ris, can I talk to you for a bit while you play with Tali?" She nodded her head but wouldn't look at him. "What would happen to Natalie if Teenie talks?"

She froze, "I don't know," she whispered.

It's her typical response for most things, but he wonders if she knows and won't say. "You don't know anything?"

She sighed, "Krissy was in control most of the time back then. I didn't get to come out much, only when Krissy was sure I'd be safe. I don't know what happened to Teenie; she's terrified of them."

"Them?" He didn't want to lead her too much.

"Her parents." Her whole body shook like she was trying to shake something off. 

"Do you remember anything from the dream?"

"Hands, she couldn't move. They were everywhere." She started crying, and Tae opened his arms as she launched into them.

Ris curled into him, and he could feel her tears through his shirt. She had snaked her arms under his Doctor's coat and around his back. Her face was nuzzling into his chest. "I'm sorry I upset you, Princess. You don't have to talk about it anymore."

"I did good?" Her voice was slightly muffled since she wouldn't pull her face back.

"You did great. So great that you can keep Tali and take her to your room if you want."

She pulled back, "really? I can keep her?"

"Of course you can."

Tae heard her gasp, and then she started peppering his face with kisses, "Thank you, thank you, thank you, Tae Tae. You are the best."

Keep your head, Tae; she's five years old right now. "Nope, you are the best. Do you want to head back out, or do you want to hang out here for a bit?"

"Here, please, I want to play."

"Okay, Princess, you play. I have some work to do. If you need anything, tell me."

She hopped off his lap and sat down in the play corner. He could hear her babbling to herself, and it made him smile. He pulled out the logs he needed to complete for the end of the day and got to work.