Healing (KTH, featuring KNJ)

Chapter 30

Taehyung hadn't spoken to Clara in nearly two weeks. He'd send her daily texts to ensure she at least knew he was thinking about her, but he'd stopped even bothering to apologize, recognizing he had no hope of making any kind of change to the situation. But he could almost see the clouds parting knowing that he was finally going to have a night off at the end of the week. He'd made absolutely sure Clara would be free that night, and he was going to go to her apartment and spoil her as much as possible. Flowers, chocolates, gifts, dinner, and lots of snuggling were on the agenda, if only he could stay awake for the full evening.

Each day of the countdown had him more anxious in anticipation, but also felt like a weight lifting off his shoulder. He knew he hadn't been the type of boyfriend he thought Clara deserved. But this would be a way to at least reconnect and ensure their bond remained strong.

Namjoon knew how much this coming evening meant to Taehyung. He talked about it almost nonstop, and by the time they reached that day, Taehyung was nearly bouncing in excitement, eyes sparkling and his mouth in a fixed grin. So Namjoon was crushed when management called him into the office and told him that three of the boys needed to attend an album launch that evening to make sure they were seen in the media. While Namjoon offered to see who might be willing to go, he was cut off and told the three had already been selected. Hobi, Taehyung, and Jungkook were expected to attend.

Namjoon fought hard for Taehyung, offering to go in his place, reminding them that he had been doubly busy with his work and filming and really more than anyone needed an evening off. But the media relations team had already decided with management who would go, and no matter what approach he took he was cut off. Finally management told him the discussion was over and sent him on his way to find the three members and give them the bad news.

He went to Jungkook first because he knew that even though Jungkook would be disappointed, he would agree without too much of a fight. Second, he found Hoseok. When he broke the news to Hobi he received a shouted, profanity-laced response. But even Hobi knew that at the end of the day his options were limited and Namjoon wasn't behind it. So he calmed himself down, promising to go to the styling department to get his clothes for the evening without taking out his irritation on any of the women who worked there. This left Namjoon to go find Taehyung.

Namjoon really didn't want to have to find Taehyung. He wished for a fire drill, earthquake, almost any kind of disaster would be better than breaking this news to his friend. And he knew that he was also disappointing Clara as well. As he went to find his exhausted bandmate, he wavered between going with the three as an act of solidarity, or offering to go and keep Clara company so Taehyung could feel slightly less awful about leaving her alone for the evening.

Namjoon was expecting the worst, but even he wasn't prepared for the response he received when he shared the update to the night's schedule. Taehyung simply crumpled on the floor against the wall and wept. Not a few tears, but soul rattling hysterics that were impossible to comfort. Namjoon was attempting to help Taehyung, searching for any type of possible silver lining, but he was finding it increasingly difficult to keep himself together seeing Taehyung's overwhelming exhaustion and heartbreak. Jungkook eventually came to collect the inconsolable member, wrapping Taehyung's arm around his shoulder, and his own arm around his waist to guide him to the wardrobe room to get ready for the evening. Jungkook promised Namjoon he'd stay with him until he calmed down. Jungkook then encouraged Namjoon to go on his way and enjoy his night off, after all he needed a break too.

Namjoon had told Taehyung that he would call Clara himself to tell her the bad news since Taehyung was hardly in a position to even walk, let alone pick up the phone and make a call. And while he dreaded what he knew he needed to say, Namjoon accepted that the earlier he got to Clara the better, so she wasn't left waiting in anticipation. Dialing her number he waited for an answer with a growing pit in his stomach.

"Hi Joon, how are you? I wasn't expecting to hear from you this evening."

"Hi Clara, I'm ok but I have some bad news. Taehyung isn't going to make it this evening, so I wanted to call and let you know."

"What? What's wrong? Is he hurt? Let me know where he is and I'll come to him!"

"No Clara, it's nothing like that. Management is making a few of the guys attend an album launch tonight and he is one of them." From here Namjoon wasn't sure what to say. If he told her how broken up Taehyung was about the whole situation he knew that Clara would carry that burden too. But he couldn't possibly pretend like this was no big deal. Both of them had been desperately waiting for this for weeks.

"Taehyung was really upset about it. I offered to go to the album release in his place so he could still have the night off, but it just didn't work. If you want I can come over and keep you company tonight?"

It was only a brief pause before Clara responded. "It's ok, but thank you for the offer. I'll just have a quiet night in." And with that, the connection was cut and Namjoon knew that he had just ruined the nights of three people, himself included.