Trusting (KTH)

Chapter 7

Over the next few weeks Taehyung found Clara was a bit distant, but he chalked it up to his schedule which was quite busy at that point in the tour. Clara seemed to be going to bed earlier so they rarely had evenings together, and often she was up and out of the bed to get the babies before he woke up, claiming she didn't want to disrupt his sleep.

Taehyung asked Sooyun if she noticed anything odd about Clara but Sooyun just shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know but I'll keep an eye out and let you know if I see anything."

A few days later Sooyun came back from picking up a few supplies to hear a crying baby in the suite. Quickly running she saw Clara trying to snap up the little tiger's pajamas, but having very little success because he was kicking wildly, keeping her from getting his feet in place.

Sooyun rushed over and grabbed the angry baby, snuggling him close while swaying back and forth. "It's ok, I'm here now, everything is going to be ok. Will you calm down for me, my sweet tiger?"

The boy's cries faded to a whimper, and eventually subsided altogether when she popped a bottle in his mouth.

"You are such a good boy for me. Don't worry, I'll hold you, everything will be fine."

Clara just stared at Sooyun with shock. She'd taken the baby from her arms and calmed him down. She was so focused on getting him dressed before he nursed so she wouldn't have to wake him if he fell asleep that she'd allowed him to become terribly upset. What was she thinking? Was she losing her touch as a mother?

Clara thanked Sooyun and told her that she was quite tired so she was going to lay down for a bit and nap. But mostly Clara needed to clear her head. She was starting to seriously question what she had to offer as both a mother and a wife. She already started to drift from Taehyung a bit, anxious about her appearance. Now she could see she wasn't even that great of a mother, the twins being the one thing binding them together. Sooyun had a better touch than she did, what did she have to offer? Honestly not much now that she thought about it. She largely depended on others to care for the boys while she did what? Go to therapy? She wouldn't even take them on a walk outside the hotel. She was raising them to be trapped in the same jail she lived in and they deserved so much more.

Taehyung arrived home earlier than expected that night, hoping to spend some time with his wife who he was missing dearly. So he was disappointed to once again find her already tucked in bed, hiding under the covers.

"Taehyung-ssi", Sooyun broke into his thoughts. "Clara has spent most of the day in bed. And recently it seems like she's been rather down. I wonder if her postpartum depression is returning."

"She told you about that?" Taehyung was surprised. Clara really was very private.

"Well not exactly, but I can overhear her therapy calls sometimes." Sooyun paused. "In the meantime I wonder if it would be more helpful if I stayed here in the main room so I can be with the boys if they wake up at night. Perhaps if we avoid stressing her further it might help?"

Taehyung considered and agreed. "Hopefully it won't be required for long but that would be very helpful. Thank you for the offer."

But if Taehyung hoped it would help, it seemed to do the opposite. Sooyun staying with them sent Clara further into her shell and Taehyung was at a loss on what to do. Luckily Sooyun kept some normality for the boys, considering Clara had largely taken to staying in bed all day.

"Hey Jimin, check out these cute pictures I just got of the boys." Taehyung called his best friend over a few days later to see the most recent snaps of the twins.

"They are hilarious!" Jimin burst out laughing, "what is that face?!?"

"Apparently Sooyun was giving them tummy time and the little tiger just wasn't having it."

"Oh, Sooyun sent those to you? That's odd." Jimin paused.

"Oh it's nothing, she just takes a lot of pictures so this keeps me updated."

"It's not the pictures Tae, but look at the caption."

'Look at our beautiful boys, aren't they funny!'

"Why would she call them 'our' boys? The twins are yours and Clara's."

"Oh I'm sure that's what she means," Taehyung defended her. "She just really loves the boys too, that's all."

"But Taehyung, Clara wasn't even on this text. Isn't it a bit odd that she's sending it just to you?"

"Clara was probably there so she didn't bother. I'm sure it's not a big deal." Taehyung continued to make light of the situation.

"Ok, but I'm telling you I think it is strange. Just be careful ok? You know Clara can be sensitive."

"I will Jimin. But don't worry, everything is fine."

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That night when Taehyung got back to the hotel suite Clara was already in bed. As usual. So Taehyung spent the evening chatting with Sooyun about the boys' day and what they had been up to.

"You know Taehyung-ssi,". Sooyun clearly felt a bit awkward and blushed before she began again. "I don't know if it is my place to say this, but Clara seems to spend a lot more time with Jungkook than she does with either you or the boys. At this point she largely has left the boys in my hands but she still spends at least an hour with Jungkook daily. Is that, I don't know, a little weird? It just feels kind of inappropriate to me."

Well, if it felt inappropriate to Sooyun it felt even more upsetting to Taehyung. Clara had barely talked to him in the last few weeks but she was spending hours with Jungkook while abandoning the boys to Sooyun?

Taehyung trusted both Clara and Jungkook fully, but something just wasn't right. He excused himself and stepped out of the room, going to pound on Jungkook's room down the hall.

"Hey Kookie, we need to talk. Open the door."