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In the hospital, when the bullet was out and I was all patched up and on pain meds, Tao sat at my bed side.

"I'm so flattered you came, Tao!"
"Shut up." He growled, "I understand that I asked you to protect me from possible offenders, but I forbid you from doing something as foolish as that ever again."

I rolled my eyes, "Look at me." He did, albeit with a slight hesitance, "I didn't step in front of you to take that bullet because I felt obligated to, or because you were paying me. I did it because, surprise, I care about you."

"Your, 'I hate you a little less than others' doesn't help."

"Look, Tao, your life and your talent are so much more valuable than mine. Some people are worth risking their lives for, and I felt that you were worthy. Besides, it was my fault you got pulled into that mess, and I never would have forgiven myself if you got hurt."

"Sounds like you've gone soft for me."

"Maybe." I sighed, "But it's a pretty practical and rational decision if I do say so myself."
"How so?" He asked, raising a doubtful brow.

"Because I know that you're a realist. I know that if I did choose to care about you and rely on you the way I usually wouldn't for any one else, that you wouldn't ever make me regret it. You're a practical person, constantly growing and evolving, you never get boring, and so in a sense I'd be growing with you."

He sighed heavily, and for the first time I've ever seen, he fell back and slumped in his chair.
"Makes sense." He mumbled.

Human - Tao X OCWhere stories live. Discover now