Healing (KTH, featuring KNJ)

Chapter 31

Taehyung had eventually calmed himself down and knew that it was time to put on his game face. He was going to this party whether he wanted to or not. And at the end of the day if he moped around at the party he'd be in even more trouble at the company. In the car he shot Clara a quick text telling her how sorry he was and that he would call her later, but quickly turned back to coordinating with the boys how they were going to manage their time at the album release. It wasn't like they were there to really relax and enjoy the atmosphere. They were there to do a job.

By the time they were walking into the party they were fully turned on and ready for the cameras and paparazzi. Big smiles adorned their faces as they leaned into the various poses they had agreed on in the car. Their makeup made them look fresh and ready, and they provided rehearsed answers to questions about their own upcoming concert tour and their wardrobes.

Taehyung was relieved that he was with Hobi and Jungkook. Jungkook always drew attention which offered Taehyung a bit of space to hide out in the corner, and Hobi was the consummate professional, always perfect answering any questions and offering a beaming smile to put everyone at ease. They would also carry the heavy lift of dancing and being on camera at the party. If he put in just the minimum of effort, he could probably get away with it. Which was good, because he wasn't sure he really had anything beyond the minimum to offer at this point.

The company had rules that must be followed regarding drinking and socializing at events like this. But Taehyung wasn't too worried about going overboard. He was so tired he couldn't imagine having more than one drink if he wanted to stay upright. And he was hoping to spend most of his evening chatting with a few acquaintances from another company. Enough to get some good pictures taken and no more. So he grabbed a cocktail from a passing waiter and began to slowly sip on it, hoping to further dull his anger at his evenings plans being ruined.

After making sure he had adequately circulated and had been in enough photographs, he found a quiet corner behind a curtain with a small wooden chair. He gave Hobi a heads up on where he could be found, and then went to the chair, slumping down and falling sound asleep, emotional and physical exhaustion taking over. The next thing he knew Jungkook was shaking him awake and telling him it was time to go. Taking just a minute to clear his head, Taehyung grabbed the hand Jungkook was offering to help him up, and followed him to the exit, prepared to be swarmed with flashing lights again. He offered his trademark poses to the waiting cameramen and slid into the waiting car first, falling back asleep almost as soon as he sat down.

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Taehyung woke up sprawled across his bed in the dorm, still largely wearing the clothes he was dressed in the previous night. He felt like he'd hardly had a moment of sleep, the sun only beginning to filter into his window. If anything he felt even more tired than yesterday, and he really wasn't ready to restart this endless cycle of work that he couldn't control.

It was then that he realized what woke him up. There were definitely several voices that didn't belong to his members coming from the living room, and he could hear knocking on his door. Taehyung saw his door slowly open and saw Yoongi peek in. "Hey Taehyung, can you come to the living room? The managers are here to talk with us."

Stumbling out of bed, Taehyung made his way to where the rest of the guys were gathered, resting his head on Jimin's shoulder and closing his eyes as soon as he sat down.

The first manager clapped his hands and started talking. "Hey guys, I have great news. Your popularity has some new opportunities coming our way. These really offer the chance to get your music in front of new listeners and to further expand your reach in several key geographies. This is excellent timing considering you are about to go on tour."

At this point Taehyung was barely listening, he was floating between being awake and being asleep, simply trying to figure out how to conserve enough energy to make it through one more day.

We have a new schedule here for the next few months before you begin your tour activities. We've had to cut a few things to make space for these interviews and photo shoots, but we think you'll be pleased with the new schedule overall.

Each of the boys were handed a piece of paper with the new schedule, although Taehyung didn't even bother to look at his. He could always update his calendar later.

Yoongi was the first to respond. "I'm looking at this new schedule and the only cuts I see are to our few days we were slotted to have off. Am I reading this correctly, or am I missing something?"

"Well" began the same manager that was speaking before, "yes, there have been some cuts to your days off, but we think these offers are too good to pass up. If we don't take these now, who knows if they will come back around."

By now they had Taehyung's full attention. Cutting the last few bits of his free time that he could possibly spend with Clara? Their relationship already felt like it was on life support. How would it possibly survive this? During the time he'd spent apart during the last few months he'd become increasingly convinced that he'd never find someone else that he could love as much as Clara. Was his entire long term happiness and dreams of a family worth sacrificing, just to be in a few more magazines?

He knew he had a contract that he couldn't easily break, but he really didn't think he could go on like this. He felt if he was going to salvage things it was time to do something drastic.

While the other boys were busy arguing with the manager, Taehyung excused himself saying he needed to use the bathroom. But when he got to his room, he instead got dressed, grabbed his wallet and his phone, and got ready to leave the apartment.

He walked back through the living room where everyone else was still arguing but didn't even bother to glance in their direction. He started to hear shouts after him asking where he was going but he simply ignored them, slipping on his shoes and went out the front door. From there he broke into a jog, wanting to make sure he got to his car before anyone could catch up to him.

By the time he got to his car his phone was ringing non-stop and messages were constantly popping up on his display. He silenced them all and instead called Clara.

"Hello?" he heard a sleepy voice answer his call.

"Clara, sweetheart, I'm so sorry did I wake you?"

"Maybe, but it's ok. I miss talking to you so I don't mind. Are you back to the company today or are you filming?"

Clara was surprised to hear Taehyung's response. "Neither, I'm on my way to see you right now, does that work?"

"Yes of course! Are you really coming? I didn't know you had this morning off. Did I confuse my dates?" Taehyung could hear the excitement in her voice.

"I'll tell you when I get there. I'll be there in 15 minutes ok?"

"I can't wait to see you. I'm going to go get ready now!" Clara giggled in excitement.

"Ok my love" Taehyung responded. "See you soon".