How Can You Ease The Pain

How Can You Ease The Pain? Love Me, That's How (Part 1 of the Final)

Seeing Tao down on the floor and Dr. Silverman apparently at a loss for words, had Kris enraged and trying to understand why his former friend had flung herself at him as if she hadn't tried to end his life. He knew then, if not sooner that she was not fully functional and her mental faculties had to be gone. She was acting as if Kris had been away on vacation, returning to greet her like he had done so in the past.

He gripped her arms, struggling to remove himself from her grasp. She wasn't letting go, repeating over and over, "you came, you finally came."

"Dr. Silverman!"

The doctor regained his awareness, finally realizing the situation. Kris, not wanting to hurt her, but the alternative was graver still, gripped her arms and pushed her off of him, her back hitting the wall. He moved quickly to help Tao get up, still stunned with what just occurred. "Are you alright?" Tao was furious! He looked at Kris, seeing faint red lines across Kris's neck from the death grip the girl had given him. Kris was flustered, his face red and the scar on his face literally pulsing. He couldn't lash out as he wanted to, knowing he was dealing with someone who was mentally unstable. What he wanted to do was punch this girl in the face. He really did. How dare she act this way? It took a few seconds for him to reacquaint himself with his surroundings, holding onto Kris's hand as he was pulled up from the floor. Dr. Silverman was embarrassed as well as annoyed since he should've known this was going to happen. He didn't want this visit to occur, but he couldn't very well stop Kris from doing so. She was still slumped against the wall, massaging the back of her head, seemingly unaware of what she had done.

"Dr. Silverman, what happened? Why doesn't Kris speak to me?"

Kris and Tao had taken seats, both trying to regain some sort of composure. They were talking amongst themselves as Dr. Silverman attended to his patient.

"Honey, you're alright?"

"Yeah, Tao, I'm okay. I wasn't expecting that. It definitely threw me for a loop."

"My goodness, babe, she's fucking strong. Shit. I've never been manhandled that way." Tao was rubbing his ass, as he landed rather hard on the office floor.

"I'm so sorry to have gotten you involved in all of this, Tao. I would understand if you left."

Tao looked at Kris as if he'd been slapped. "What? Where am I going?"

Kris fumbled with his words, sheepish that he made the suggestion to Tao, considering that Tao had already told him that he wasn't going anywhere. "You know all this craziness, no one signs on for this type of stuff. I'm really sorry, Tao. I know you said that you wouldn't leave me but this is just too much to ask of anyone."

Tao was getting irritated with Kris, and rightfully so. Yes, this whole situation was new to Tao, but he was Kris's boyfriend now and they were going to navigate this new relationship together.

He took Kris's hands in his again, smoothing the skin as he slid his hands up and down Kris's forearms. He looked right into Kris's eyes, moving his head to stare in earnest as Kris tried to turn his head away, Tao's eyes boring holes in him. "Look. I can see that you're scared, Kris. I can only imagine, but you have to believe that I am going to be here for you. I am not going anywhere. I can't know truthfully what you feel as I have not experienced what you have, but you gotta know, I love you, okay? I want to help you in any way I can and besides, that bitch pushed me. She fucking pushed me hard, putting her hands all over you, acting like you belong to her or something. That, my love, is a big fucking no-no. She doesn't get to do that. Not ever. You're mine now. She's going to learn this today, mental illness or not."